As a chaplain I have had the privilege of being with people facing such choices, and as a human I have faced them myself.   Ask yourself, or someone else who has faced such a choice: “Do you wish the choice had been taken out of your hands?”  In the midst of the struggle many of us wish we weren’t faced with such a difficult decision.  But time after time I have witnessed the saving power that dwells in that... Read more

A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. On the one hand, we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life’s roadside, but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life’s... Read more

Twas the Night Before Inauguration (Based on the world famous Christmas poem) (more…) Read more

Bedtime Stories Last night’s bedtime story for my two little boys was about Mother Rosa Parks. A few nights ago we read and talked about Dr. King. On Monday morning, MLK Day, I will do what I have been doing for over 15 years… it is the only day of the year my wife would allow such a tradition. Awaking early, I fire up the CD player, turn up the volume, hit play and Dr. King’s “I have a dream”... Read more

The issue of gay marriage has never been as prevalent in our history as it is today. The recent passage of Proposition 8 in California stated that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Many homosexuals and activist view the passage of Prop 8 as bigotry and a setback for human rights rather than a referendum on the institution of marriage itself. For all intents and purposes, California happens to be one of... Read more

The excitement leading up to Tuesday’s inauguration of Barack Obama is palpable. Radio and TV news outlets alternate between stories on the logistical preparations D.C. is making as it braces for the tidal wave of hope filled pilgrims and the daunting challenges awaiting the 44th President. Among stories that fall into the latter category, I have been surprised, and encouraged, by the level of attention given to President-elect Obama’s promise to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.  Given the... Read more

Since the 2000 presidential election there has been much debate over why those who go to church on a regular basis vote Republican. Democrats can’t seem to understand why those who follow the tenets of Jesus Christ vote consistently for a political party that seems to take them for granted. Jesus Christ preached and taught "blessed are the poor for they shall be comforted," "blessed are the peacemakers," "clothe the poor," "feed the hungry," and "do unto others as you... Read more

Republicans have a problem… they don’t know who they are.   Devastated   The 2006 and 2008 election cycles were devastating for the GOP. They went from the Roveian-based belief that they had basically won the political war and Democrats would be no more to more of a “what the hell happened?”   In Washington today, Republicans basically control nothing including the great American conversation of ideas. They’ve lost their center. And their battle, this little sideshow, for who they... Read more

My generation must learn from the past and recognize that real change does not come at the speed of fast food or instant downloads.  It is easy to look at history and see only the high water marks of transformation and forget the years of work that it took to get there.   (more…) Read more

  As I count down the days for Obama’s inauguration into the White House (17 as of this post), I think about the need for a new model in faith-based initiative support from our elected officials and presidents.   The Bush Administration set a new standard for including faith-based initiatives and institutions in the foray of governmental support and policy making. However, what we saw during his tenure was a narrowed focus of certain wedge issues (anti-abortion measures, abstinence only... Read more