It’s time to reclaim January 6th. It’s time to remember that, for 2,000 years, this date had a meaning not at all connected with Donald Trump and the insurrectionist takeover of our nation’s Capitol.
I am not suggesting we “forget”…
Read moreIt’s time to reclaim January 6th. It’s time to remember that, for 2,000 years, this date had a meaning not at all connected with Donald Trump and the insurrectionist takeover of our nation’s Capitol.
I am not suggesting we “forget”…
Read moreWe human creatures are deeply frail and fragile beings, and behind every tough exterior lives a frightened little child.
It doesn’t matter whether we are “battle hardened soldiers,” or “bleeding heart artists.”
It doesn’t matter if we are “brawny men,”…
Read moreThis week, as I reread the first verses of Luke’s Christmas story, I thought about Rey (from Star Wars), and about my own governor, Greg Abbott.
Director JJ Abrams masterfully introduces the character of Rey to us in “The Force…
Read moreIt’s Christmas Day, and so it’s the perfect day to talk about shit.
I’ve probably already lost some of you, because you don’t think preachers are supposed to use such words. But for those who aren’t already writing my Bishop…
Read more“Now…remind me again….which of the Beatles are still alive?”
“Paul and Ringo, Mom.”
It is Thanksgiving Day, one year ago tomorrow. We are at our family’s Lakehouse, and we are watching Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” documentary which has just dropped…
Read moreRead more“All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.””
Luke 15: 1-2“Everyone who saw this grumbled, saying, “He…
Today would be my Mom’s 88th Birthday, and we miss her alot. Anniversaries are hard.
But, I’ve been thinking alot about her 60th birthday this month, since I just had mine. That day –right about this time of morning, on…
Read moreThis morning, the world is on-fire with conversation regarding “student debt forgiveness.”
I am listening to this debate, as I also meditate on Sunday’s scripture from the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 14), and other Bible stories that speak to us…
Read moreStopping for a moment to read these words.
This old, yellowed quote from Frederick Buechner has been on the wall of every office study I’ve had for 30+ years.
What’s YOUR favorite Buechner quote? (Copy/paste it in the comments…)
I…
Read more“AND…WHO AM I?”
This is the unspoken question the religious lawyer quizzing Jesus never asks.
I really wish he had. Because I need the answer to this question, and so do you.
I’m talking about the Parable of the Good…
Read more“I am going down with the ship.”
I can’t speak for everyone. I can only speak for me. I can’t fault any other choice anyone else might make.
All I am saying is: If Texas goes down, I’m going down…
“Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God.”
— John 16:2
“When your icon of the enemy is complete
you will be able to kill…
To the Pride Flag Vandal,
I don’t know who you are.
I don’t know your motivations.
I don’t know why you chose to cut down our KPUMC Pride Flag from the flagpole on our property.
But I thought I’d write…
Read moreFor some years, I’ve been telling you I sensed a “split” was coming in the UMC, but that I couldn’t predict just how that would happen. Ideally, a split would be affected by an orderly process, authorized by the General…
Read moreToday, all over America, fans will pour into stadiums to watch their favorite college teams.
In many locales —urban and rural, in Red and Blue states— fans will submit to a “clear bag” rule, and possibly even a scan or…
Pretty excited to be a part of this podcast, with friends Kenny Dickson and Mike Hatch. Since I’m both a songwriter and preacher, they invited me to to talk about the great documentary “Echo in the Canyon.”
It traces the…
These are the three biggest lies — the three greatest disincentives to…
Read moreI’ve been dubious about The National Anthem and our flag, for several years now…having been stunned to learn the Anthem’s racists verses (the ones we never sing…) and having been deeply impressed by the “Take a Knee” movement regarding the…
Read moreBecause I grew up as an “average” White American, my learnings about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have mostly come from White America. I was in my mid-20s before I first understood this. Only now, in my mid-50s, can I…
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