As a Baptist minister, I wish to state that Mr. Graham does not speak for me, nor for a large, and rapidly growing segment in the broad stream of Christianity.
It is the job of all parents to teach their children about faith. And those who are members of churches have chosen to tackle that job in community,. I believe that is the best decision you could have made. And I wonder, when your children graduate, will you be able to list all these things in which your children have participated that have helped to guide and mold them into faithful disciples? I hope so. Parenting is the most important job you will ever have.
It is better to lose heaven than to lose the nearness of God! For “Our Father, who art in heaven” means precisely “Our Father, who art present here on earth.”
The collective soul of America is broken. So when a Baltimore episode erupts into flame, why are we so surprised? Our collective soul needs healing.
I can’t think of a better Easter message than to decide to accept all people as children of God. Period. God is the God of all. That is the Easter message. But are we ready to go from Easter service living like we believe it?
We don't need any more “religious freedom” laws, but we could certainly use more graciously religious people. Instead of laws, we need more people of faith, free enough from prejudice and arrogance and condescension, to be able to express convictions with compassion – not just with passion.
I’ve decided that that’s what I want to be – a Waymaker. I’ve always thought of myself as a Follower of Jesus, but I’m now wondering if I should learn to see myself going before him - instead of hiding behind him.
Why is it that so many Christians think we need the government to prop up Jesus? If Christians won’t defend Sunday as a priority - our day of worship – why should we expect the culture to do it for us?
Participation in a healthy faith community connects us with a greater good – the greatest good – and that is God’s care for all living beings. There must be some truth to the old adage about there being “no atheists in foxholes.” When life’s toughest issues come our way, most people, in one way or another, begin to reflect on what would have to be called “spiritual” things. A good Church helps us engage that conversation throughout life.
They knit, they crochet, they sew. And in so-doing, they are bringing healing, hope and comfort to those who grieve and those who are sick. They bring peace to those who are lonely or afraid. Their prayers are in their handiwork.
We face a basic choice in how we live our lives: will we live out of humility and grace and be fundamentally welcoming, accepting, open to all, or will our fundamental disposition be one of judgment, exclusion, alienation?
I don’t need to understand you to accept you. I can only hope you will offer me the same grace.
“Extending protections” is not about understanding the transgender person. I cannot claim that understanding – just as I do not understand being a woman, or being poor, or being black. That lack of understanding, though, does not lead me to assume the right to discriminate. And those protections do not depend on my approval or agreement with your life choices – my personal approval, my party’s approval, my church’s approval – because our nation declared independence for ALL.
Why can’t I ever remember that it doesn’t matter how many people show up? It’s not about our work or our effort. It is really about creating space for people to draw closer to God. Ahhh, that’s right. It’s about God.
Marcus Borg gave Christianity back to many who thought they had to desert it.
It is hard to discount the Church’s beneficial influence in teaching community values and moral character and promoting compassion and understanding.
I believe God hears all human prayers -- even from humans whose understanding is limited by our finitude. Maybe that's all of us?
