Having played around the Dallas music circuit for many years, it’s always fun to find something different coming out of the scene where I played my first gigs. Though I’ve never seen the band, People On Vacation, live, they’re made up of two well known bands. Jaret Reddick (Bowling For Soup) and Ryan Hamilton (Smile Smile) came together for this cool new project, and a friend of mine who still lives in Dallas (and who played hundreds of those gigs... Read more
I’ve been exploring the practice of Theo-poetics for the past few years, and here is one of my favorite pieces I’ve come up with so far. In addition to the text, I’ve included a recording of the piece I did with a free jazz duo some time back. 02 A Love Supreme I’ve recorded an album worth of material with this jazz group, and I also have my spoken word pieces available along with the audio recordings on my site.... Read more
There’s an old joke that speaks directly to one of the biggest issues holding back Churches these days: How many Christians does it take to screw in a light bulb? Change? Who said anything about change?!?! I get asked to come in and help struggling churches all over the county. Most of them are aging and see the proverbial writing on the wall if something about their future doesn’t look different soon. Pretty often, I’m asked to unlock the secret... Read more
When I shaved my head and posted photos on my Facebook page, I got about a dozen comments. Reviews were mixed, but the reality was that my follicles were giving up the fight whether or not I went along with their surrender. When Hasidic Jewish reggae star Matisyahu shaved his beard this week, it literally made headlines. Everywhere. Aside from the fact that he’s famous, the beard represents much more in the Jewish religion. For those who feel it is... Read more
Perhaps nothing has helped the ratings of The Learning Channel’s new show, All American Muslim, more than the Florida Family Association, the group at the heart of protests against the show. According to FFA’s website (not to be confused with Future Farmers of America), the nonprofit “…is an organization that is made up of THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS across America who share in the same goal of improving America’s moral environment.” Translated: Fundamentalist Christian activists using their social capital to sway... Read more
Pop phenom Lada Gaga recently announced her plans to seek ministerial ordination so that she may marry her long-time friends, both of whom are women. The news stirred conflicting feelings for me, given that I affirm both the right of all consenting adults to marry, as well as the so-called “priesthood of all believers.” The latter is a value taken from my own denomination, the Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ), which proclaims that we all have a divine call to... Read more
You don’t have to be from Colorado these days to hear about the so-called “Tebow Mystique.” An adoration for the new Denver Broncos quarterback that borders on hero-worship or even idolatry, the praise he is enjoying is, in itself, newsworthy. And yes, though the winning streak led by Tebow has been buttressed by a generally fierce defense, a capable offensive line and pitch-perfect special teams rallies, he’s the one on whom all eyes rest when we reach the latter ends... Read more
Several people asked me to write and update after I went to the Red Letter Christians retreat in Pennsylvania. First off, it was an incredible trip. To share time, meals and ideas with fellow authors and speakers for three days was a rare opportunity for which I’m greatly humbled and thankful. Tony Campolo, you rock! Some of you may have read my earlier post about my freak-out when I thought I was going to have to pray aloud in front... Read more
Many thanks to Matthew Paul Turner and World Vision for inviting me to take part in their “12 Blogs of Christmas” project. The simple, open-ended request that was given to us was to write about “the true meaning of Christmas.” You can see my entry, which came out Friday, December 9th, by clicking on the image below: Read more
I’m sitting in the airport as I write this, halfway between home and Philadelphia, where I’m joining dozens of other author/speakers at Tony Campolo’s Red Letter Christians retreat. Frankly, I was shocked I was even invited, particularly when I browsed the list of invitees. Bruce Reyes Chow, Tony Jones, Peter Rollins, Rachel Held Evans, Gareth Higgins, Shane Claiborne, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Spencer Burke, Jay Bakker, Diana Butler Bass… Oh yeah, and Tony Campolo. Not sure how I got included as a... Read more
Christian Piatt
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