Irreverin
When the church can't talk about poverty without somebody hollering "politics!" then our message has clearly been hijacked. These are not political issues-- these are faith issues that have been politicized. Read more
When the church can't talk about poverty without somebody hollering "politics!" then our message has clearly been hijacked. These are not political issues-- these are faith issues that have been politicized. Read more
Yes, the economy truly does matter – but how we are defining that economy matters even more. Read more
"Hamilton" is a story that America needs to hear right now. It reminds us that independence is, in fact, complicated; but that the vision of this country was to be a place where all could thrive, regardless of where they came from. The musical also asks some hard questions of us-- as individuals, and as a republic. And, if we're paying attention, there's something for the Church to learn here as well. Read more
There are reasons everybody is talking about this episode, and not just me and my clergy-nerd friends. I think it speaks to the deepest needs that people are feeling right now in the midst of pandemic, uncertainty, civil unrest and general awfulness. It's a rare, true transformation story; and it's full of joy. Read more
As Americans, we have a choice in nearly everything. From where we live to what kind of car we drive; from what cell phone carrier we use to what brand of running shoes we purchase; hell, the sheer range of variety in the cereal aisle can trigger a full-on anxiety attack. Our lives are a buffet of options, nearly everything we touch tailor-made to our beliefs, convenience, or personal aesthetic. That’s not entirely a bad thing. In some ways, it... Read more
“You can’t fan the flames and then condemn the fire.” These were the words of my Governor, Andy Beshear last week after a protester hung an effigy of him on the lawn of the Governor’s mansion. Some local and state officials condemned the act–but these were the very same politicians that had rallied with this group of radicals in recent days, encouraging their outrage and attacking the Governor. In other words– they fanned the flames, but then condemned the fire.... Read more
Use the church as a pawn in political games? They would never! Well. If by ‘never’ we mean every day and all the time… We know this,. This is not #fakenews, this is not news at all– politicians on both sides the aisle sometimes use church and church people like poker chips in a never-ending game, in which every round is a dirty deal. The Church is a pawn in an ongoing strategy game where the board is… okay, I am... Read more
I woke up this morning to cute little signs on my door, then followed a complicated, winding path of string that led to a pile of homemade gifts. This afternoon, I’ll call my mom, and my mother-in-law. And, as I do most Mother’s Days, I will think about all the ‘other mothers’ in my life– my friend’s moms, my mom’s friends, neighbors, and a long line of church ladies who have mothered me– even when I was their pastor. But... Read more
Yesterday, on what should have been Derby Day, the temp climbed above 80 degrees. Rather than sitting at home and crying into my julep while singing My Old Kentucky Home, I walked with my kids down to the creek (crick, if you’re from down-home). I sat on the bank while they waded and caught tadpoles and generally got filthy, as kids should. We came home and I lazed in a hammock chair and (badly) strummed my new guitar and ordered... Read more
We’ve all got a story we’ve told too many times, right? Mine is this: Once, there was a little church in a big desert. And it was dying. The people didn’t really KNOW that it was dying, exactly: but they knew money was tight; that fewer and fewer people were coming to worship; and that most of their neighbors were driving right past them every Sunday to go to the megachurch down the street. They knew that there was no... Read more
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