There are a lot of statements floating around these days masquerading as apologies. From politicians to celebrities to news anchors to the guy next door. A lot of people are saying that they are sorry in ways that make us all pretty sure they don't mean it at all. To help cut through the apology clutter, here are the three key elements to include (or look for) in a genuine apology: Own ...
Read MoreAt the heart of my call to ministry is the desire to combat the use of the Bible as a weapon. Christians are not called to tear other people down--governments, temples and systems of oppressions--yes...but never people. We can't possibly attempt to live into our call to follow Jesus Christ and to become more Christ-like if we insist on tearing, holding and/or keeping others down. "Love one another as I ...
Read MoreAlmost every pastor I know right now is struggling with criticisms of being "too political" in the age of Trump, but he's really left us no choice. Because while we, as Christians, can and will disagree on policy, we must stand against the mistreatment of people. Wherever you are on the political spectrum, there's no denying that our presidnet continues to make statements and take actions that are harmful (not just ...
Read MoreLast week's episode of the re-vamped Will and Grace (featuring the always-adorable Ben Platt) pointed out how the experiences of young gay people today are vastly different than those of the folks who came along (and out) 20 years ago...even 10 years ago. Today is National Coming Out Day. A professor from Ohio State has written an op-ed piece for the Washington Post asserting that a special day for coming out ...
Read MoreI’m just going to come right out and say it—I don’t care for football. I’m really not interested in who played this weekend or what the outcome of the games were. Perhaps it’s because in four years of high school, our team won one game. I attended two different colleges and one grad school—none of which had a football team. Maybe I’m turned off by all the hitting. What can ...
Read MoreI read and watch and listen to a lot of mystery, police procedural and spy story fiction. No reality-tv or true crime for me. If today were the beginning of one of my books, I would bet money that the retired accountant who was found dead, surrounded by a pile of guns in the hotel room where the shooting took place was a dupe. Not the real shooter. Instead, he would ...
Read MoreSome of my favorite religious songs are songs about water. Themes of thirst being quenched, heading down to the river and being washed clean really resonate with me. As I helplessly watch the Houston (and now New Orleans) waters rise on television and social media, I think about how those songs must sound to people whose lives have been turned upside down and endangered by water. Coming to the fountain no ...
Read MoreThis idea of a whites only country is not only offensive and ridiculous, it would be a logistical nightmare. I mean, how white do you have to be? Is there a shade-o-rometer? Is there a DNA test you have to take? What if it's summer, and you're just really tan...or orange? See? Sure, there are far more than 10 reasons why a whites-only country would be a drab and dreary palce, ...
Read MoreThere is a lot to be angry* about right now, but to allow that anger to transform us into hateful creatures is to defeat ourselves instead of the ones who are causing our anger. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Ephesians 4:26 (The Message translation) Anger isn't a bad thing. ...
Read MoreWe all know there is an opioid addiction epidemic plaguing our country. An epidemic that is far too serious and complicated a problem to fix in a blog post. However, there is another epidemic sweeping the country (if not the entire world) that can easily be addressed is five simple steps. I'm referring, of course, to our growing addiction to outrage. It seems there is nothing that America loves more than to ...
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