If you’ve ever gotten into social justice discussions online, you’ve likely encountered a certain type of person, a person who seems almost incapable of expressing any emotion except grave concern. They could be progressives, or they could be conservatives, but their temperament unites them. They are very, very serious people. Perhaps the first thing youContinue reading “Whatever Happened to Humor”
Category Archives: Community
We Are Not Alone
The Christian Institute is backing calls from an MSP for places of worship in Scotland to open for collective worship sooner than 23 July. Churches in Scotland are only permitted at present to open for private prayer and funerals. Murdo Fraser, Tory MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife, said it was “extraordinary” that pubs were allowedContinue reading “We Are Not Alone”
Is Society Dragging Itself to Chaos?
On July 8, 1741, Jonathan Edwards, famed pastor and theologian of colonial America, delivered one of his most famed messages of all-time at a church in Enfield, Connecticut. The title of his message was “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Using Deuteronomy 32:35 as his text, Edwards argued that sinners are kept inContinue reading “Is Society Dragging Itself to Chaos?”
It Is a Sin Issue Not a Skin Issue
(This article was penned by Shane Idleman, a pastor of a multiracial congregation and staff, offers one of the best insights to the turmoil in our nation. I pray that you will read and share the article as it offers sanity and faith to a dialogue so geared to anger and hatred.) Martin Luther KingContinue reading “It Is a Sin Issue Not a Skin Issue”
If We Could Just Melt the Polar Ice
Polarized. If I were to summarize American culture and politics right now, polarized is the first word that comes to mind. Progressives and conservatives keep moving further apart. Republicans and Democrats can barely shake each other’s hands and listen to each other’s speeches, let alone work together to solve the nation’s problems. On social media, respect and civilityContinue reading “If We Could Just Melt the Polar Ice”
Scholarship in a Pandemic? A Lesson from C. S. Lewis
The first time I wore a facemask and plastic gloves to our local grocery story, I was struck by the reality that things were not “normal.” In January 2020, the world first learned about a “novel coronavirus” outbreak that infected thousands of people in China. But by March, this faraway epidemic had become a worldwideContinue reading “Scholarship in a Pandemic? A Lesson from C. S. Lewis”
Be Grateful for Those Who Influenced You (Even Though They Are Flawed)
A dozen years ago I read a wonderful small book called Handoff, written by my friend Jeff Myers, which caused me to think deeply about the people to whom I owe debts of gratitude. It got me thinking, “Have I taken the time to honor these people and to show them grace”? As Jeff points out, honor and graceContinue reading “Be Grateful for Those Who Influenced You (Even Though They Are Flawed)”
A Gasp of Pain and Sigh of Relief
The lockdowns are slowly ending and churches are tentatively re-opening. Of course most are opening during vacation season so have begun with a much-reduced schedule of programming—typically Sunday morning services and not a whole lot else. But summer will soon be past and the busy fall season will be upon us. It’s safe to assumeContinue reading “A Gasp of Pain and Sigh of Relief”
Resolving Conflict Pt. 2
We looked before at the importance of reconciliation. This concept is expressed vividly in Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 18:15. If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has some thing against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to yourContinue reading “Resolving Conflict Pt. 2”
God’s Ancient Answer for Racism
Recent racially charged incidents including the tragic death of George Floyd have stirred ensuing riots and torn open the rawest of wounds – racism. Judging a person according to skin color is an ancient sin. For that reason, God gave this ancient solution. In the earliest words of Scripture, God spoke: “Let us make humanContinue reading “God’s Ancient Answer for Racism”
