It’s Not Our Tent

May 9, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

This was the devotional at our Staff Parish Committee Meeting last night, offered by one of our great layfolks. An important word for all of us in the UMC, where ever we come down on the issue of “inclusion.” The word is: “It’s not our tent.” (Underlining by me.) “ The desire to learn […]

The Biblical Basis for the Rape-Marriage #UMC

May 5, 2014.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Originally posted on The Thoughtful Pastor:
I just read this powerful, compelling, heart-rendering article reminding us that the horror of the Nigerian girls being abducted into these “rape-marriages” has a sound biblical basis. The author is correct. Here’s a short snippet from her piece: We must tell the truth that the bible says that fathers…

Carrying the Cross and Dropping the Crowbar

May 1, 2014.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Originally posted on CrossRoads Faith and Film:
One of my favorite scenes in the movie “Field of Dreams” is when Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, is trying to convince Terence Mann, played by James Earl Jones, to go with him to a Boston Red Sox baseball game. When Terence Mann shuts the door in…

May God Have Mercy On Us All

April 30, 2014.Reading time 7 minutes.

Wherever you come down on the issue of capital punishment, it’s impossible to deny that what happened last night in Oklahoma was horrific. Last night also reminds us of a broader horrific truth that so many of us deny or simply ignore: Capital Punishment is murder at the hands of the State. Capital punishment is […]

My Thoughts on “Faithful America”

April 29, 2014.Reading time 1 minute.

A brief word about “Faithful America.” They have continued their petition drive, concerning the same sex wedding conducted by Bill McElvaney. (For those reading about this for the first time, the emeritus pastor of the church I serve has performed a same sex wedding here in Dallas. You can catch up on the story here). […]

Friends of Alexamenos (An Easter Blog)

April 21, 2014.Reading time 15 minutes.

To be a Christ-follower is to look foolish to the rest of the world. We tend to believe that this is a relatively modern thing. It is not. The earliest use of the name “Christian” was to derisively mock those who followed Jesus. And then, there’s this. This drawing is from a building in ancient […]

The Terrifying Thing about Good Friday

April 18, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

Whatever you think of the “necessity” of Jesus dying, the facts are that he was crucified. That is how he died. That a figure named Jesus was likely crucified is one of the most historically provable facts about him, in that it’s testified to by several external historical sources. As Borg and Crossan remind us […]

Troubled Times

April 9, 2014.Reading time 6 minutes.

Somehow, I missed the big news yesterday that sixty conservative UM clergy had a conference call, the purpose of which was to discuss separation of the denomination. I first found out about it via my friend, Christy Thomas, and her excellent blog this morning. While I wince at her use of “inquisition” here. (We’re nowhere […]

A Flood of Thoughts on Noah (Sorry. Couldn’t Help Myself)

April 8, 2014.Reading time 9 minutes.

I saw Noah over the weekend. Stop reading now, if you don’t want spoilers. Seriously. Right now. As a preacher –and somebody who’s heard endless blogviating (blogging + bloviating) on this movie for the past week– I thought, why not? Jump in with your own views. The most enlightening thing I’ve read about the movie […]

Time for a Time Change

March 6, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

Been catching up on some journaling this am. It strikes me that this month has been like drinking out of a fire hose. Events coming at me, fast and furious… — The Judge starting her law school teaching — Mary Clair’s resignation — George and Jack’s wedding — Maria getting her license — Our niece […]