This is the first in a weekly series of Advent devotionals reflecting on what an experience of infertility can teach us about waiting for Jesus here at Faith Forward. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . . Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your... Read more
By Bishop Minerva G. Carcano However each of us may have voted, I pray that we remember that above all, above political parties and nation states, we are those who follow Jesus Christ alone, citizens of the reign of God. We have lived some difficult months in this country; months of growing hostility among political leaders, with the lashing out at others in extreme ways, and not just at political opponents. Racism, misogyny, xenophobia, a disregard for the economically poor, and all... Read more
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out ~ because I was not a Socialist….Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out ~ because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me ~ and there was no one left to speak for me.” ~ German Pastor Martin Niemoller This poem, as it has often been called, has been adapted to fit many circumstances. That is part of its long and... Read more
God is not in control. As a Christian, this comforts me. I’ve heard this phrase used often in the past week by Christians left and right, from those who oppose Trump and those who do not. Those on the right—more conservative evangelical Christians—often use it to placate and reassure. “This is all happening as it should, so chill out and just have faith.” Those on the left—more progressive Christians—do not use it as frequently. But when they do, it’s often... Read more
10 Ways to Care for Our Veterans Today, and Every Day We give our nation’s military service members the training they need to accomplish their missions during deployment, but what resources await them back home? Church congregations play a unique and vital role in the reentry and reintegration process post-deployment. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn… In all seasons of life and with all that life entails, our congregations have resources to engage challenges and make... Read more
By Grace Vargas (This year, the Forum for Theological Exploration will spotlight 12 leaders, their stories, and how their passion and call to shape a more hopeful future through Christian ministry guides the impact they are making in their communities, institutions and universities. You can find the full series, here.) The deepest connections happen when we can locate ourselves in a story. We say things like, “that’s me,” “I’ve been there,” or “I know what that’s like.” We feel seen,... Read more
THE SERENITY PRAYER The Unofficial Prayer of Election 2016 by Dwight Lee Wolter One primary thing we did not get in the 2016 presidential primary is serenity. Now that the election debates are now over, many people have observed that like it or not, Donald Trump isn’t going to change and neither is Hillary Clinton. And while one candidate has tons of money and the other had tons of experience; neither money nor experience can buy serenity. With all... Read more
By Dwight Lee Wolter. Welcome to part three, the concluding part of this three part series on the Serenity Prayer. Today, we pray not only for the serenity to accept the change we cannot change and the courage to change the things we can, but also for “the wisdom to know the difference.” Look around the world today. Do you see a whole lot of wisdom? Maybe wisdom is a thing of the past. Maybe the modern-day wise ones... Read more
By Dwight Lee Wolter. “God, grant me the…courage to change the things I can…” Welcome to part two of this three-part series on the Serenity Prayer. In part one, I told you a story about a man who stood on the beach, threatening the tide if it dared to come in; and later pleading with the tide not to go out. Neither threats nor pleading worked. The man lacked the serenity to accept [the tide] he could not... Read more
By Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO of Faith in Public Life In response to public outcry over his newly revealed tax return, Trump responded that it was a smart move on his part to take advantage of a tax benefit for real estate investors that allowed him to write off twenty years in taxes, paying himself a handsome salary while stiffing his workers. Our faith traditions teach us that this is not a smart move: it is a sinful move... Read more
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