“They will know we are Christians by our love.” Sometimes, we need to minister God’s love practically, not by preaching at people. I’m sorry to say I used to think the most loving thing I could do for needy people would be getting them saved, and that would lead to any necessary physical benefits in their lives. But now that seems immature to me.
The Impractical Gospel Read More »
On this Independence Day, that sublime phrase “all men are created equal” is on my mind. I rejoice in the liberties I enjoy, but I’m also keenly aware this year of the gaps in equality that still exist in this nation. The esteemed Framers of the Declaration of Independence did not seem to write the word “all” in the same manner as today we understand it. And aspirational statements enshrined in our founding documents do not carry the force of law. Working out those aspirations and giving them proper force in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of our government is a tedious, difficult process at best. Much work is still required to bring “equal” to its full meaning.
Created Equal – a Work Still in Progress Read More »
A Christian coffee shop that I know about has a non-binary-identifying employee. The shop’s motto is “Love God, Love People, Love Coffee,” and their Facebook presence is full of customers celebrating God’s love. The shop chose to celebrate God’s love for that individual on social media a couple days ago. I’m deeply disappointed. Surprise: It’s
“Come now, let us reason together; though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow.” That’s a favorite verse for many Christians, myself included. What recently caught my attention was the context in Isaiah 1: “Stop doing evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, obtain justice for the orphan,
Being a “safe place” is hard. In two separate topics in the last year, I’ve been confronted with discovering that I had not been a “safe place” for others to talk about their real and personally-lived experiences. Both people are very close to me – much closer than an acquaintance, with whom I have regular
1,256 houses burned down. 215 more houses and businesses looted across 35 city blocks. At least 3 dozen, but more likely hundreds, of people of all ages dead. 6,000 more held under martial law armed guard to prevent further bloodshed. Firefighters turned away by armed rioters. An entire thriving business district and residential community wiped
