Less Fake, More Real
In 1787, so the story goes, a Russian named Grigory Potemkin erected a portable, fake village in order to impress the visiting Empress Catherine II.
Thus the
Blessings from Unlikely Places
My favorite Christmas movie is "A Christmas Story," which tells the story of Ralphie Parker, a nine-year-old boy and his desire to receive an official Red Ryder carbine action, two-hundred shot
Have you prayed about it?
Last Father’s Day I received a gift from my wife and children more precious than I can describe. Without my knowledge, they had repurposed some wood from
Advent, Aleppo & Bethlehem
An advent reflection on the viral image of Omran Daqneesh, a dazed five-year-old boy found in the rubble in Aleppo, Syria.
Light land, hope illumined enthuses the refugee soul.
Forgotten spaces at highway's end host sojourners cast out of home.
First class, economy and privilege
Words like privilege, entitlement and equal access have suddenly taken on enormous significance in our culture. Until recently, I viewed myself as very egalitarian. But on board
What I learned when Missouri prosecuted Baptist clergy
I don’t know what you were doing the week of Aug. 15, but I had a ringside seat, watching a bit of local history right before my
Worship: Good for what ails you
Reflecting on the recent annual gathering of the Baptist World Alliance in Vancouver, British Columbia, I was struck by two things: The deep hunger in my own
Who are we after the Baptist wars?
Our church’s recent quarterly business meeting seemed routine enough (if there is such a thing as a routine business meeting). But very quietly, something historic occurred that
Word Pictures
The wall in my home office is covered with pictures.
Some of the pictures predate me, like the one of my wife’s grandfather’s family and the picture
Fear of disappointing can’t drive pastor
Every day, I walk a fine line between servant leadership and people pleasing. Some days, I get it right. Other days, I can’t even see the line.