In a violent world, filled with those who accept violence as the cost of living, we should remember Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Better known as Mahatma, “Great Soul.” He was also called Bapu, because he was the “father” of India. Born Oct. 2, 1869, he was assassinated at age 78, Jan. 30, 1948. He led a non-violent protest that freed India from British rule and inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. to lead a similar non-violent civil rights struggle in the United... Read more
“Repent,” Jesus says in Matt. 4:17, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” But does it really mean what we think? Jesus says to repent a lot in the Bible. “Repent.” “Repent, you sinful generation.” “Repent, you brood of vipers, repent.” When kids on the playground get into a tussle, they shake hands, say they’re sorry and go back to being best friends again. They repent. Bible study groups will scan dictionaries looking for the definition. Repent comes from... Read more
With the murder of Conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk, Republicans have found their Reichstag Moment. On Feb. 27, 1933, exactly four weeks after Adolf Hitler was sworn in as Germany’s Chancellor, an arsonist’s fire engulfed Berlin’s Reichstag building, home of the German parliament. The Dutch national convicted of the crime claimed he acted alone to protest the condition of the German working class. Four others were ultimately acquitted. The Berlin fire chief reported Nazi officials intentionally hindered his efforts to combat... Read more
When Alabama’s Birmingham was “Bombingham” Sept. 15, 1963 seemed like any other Birmingham Sunday morning for Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and Carole Robertson, all 14. Eleven year-old Denise McNair followed the girls and their friends to the washroom after Sunday school and before the church service at 16th Street Baptist Church. A massive explosion shattered the peaceful morning, killing the four and wounding and maiming nearly two dozen mostly women and children. White supremacists Robert Chambliss, Thomas Blanton, Bobby... Read more
Let me make it plain: Charlie Kirk was a racist bigot. Too many people need to hear this. Most of the mainstream media, the entire Republican Party, and the MAGA echo chamber need to hear it—so I’m making it plain. Charlie Kirk was a racist bigot. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is a racist bigot. His office doesn’t preclude him from being one. Charlie Kirk’s being a victim of the gun violence he denied does not erase... Read more
“Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” I watched Adam Turck die more than 30 times, closer to 50 times if you count rehearsals. His character was killed at the end of Act I and I played the investigating detective in Act II. On Aug. 2, the 35-year-old Richmond actor intervened in a domestic dispute while walking his dog in broad daylight. A 19-year-old pulled a handgun, shot Adam and... Read more
Republicans controlling Washington are trying to kill us all. How do we survive the republican culture of death? Tragedies in Texas give us a clear understanding of the dangerous, death-soaked society Republicans are creating across the country. Kerr County, Texas, known as part of “Flash Flood Alley,” experienced 94 deaths this summer; a significant number of the fatalities at Camp Mystic, a youth camp along the Guadalupe River, where 27 campers and staff drowned. Hundreds more had to be rescued... Read more
“Heroes get remembered,” Babe Ruth told Scotty Smalls in the movie The Sandlot, “but legends never die.” A hero transitioned to legend July 28 when Chicago Cub Ryne Sandberg died of cancer. He was 65, but he’ll remain forever young as a Hall of Fame defender with a powerful bat that left balls bouncing down the streets of Wrigleyville. WGN’s Harry Carey and Steve Stone delivered Cubs baseball to millions of us across the country in the 1980s and 90s.... Read more
Notes from a sermon: Responding to the Current Culture In Matthew 25:40-46, Jesus says, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I... Read more
For months, I’ve been grappling with what should be the Christian Response to the Current Culture. A timeless question asked by followers of Jesus for 2,000 years. What is the current culture? A solid 30 percent of the United States supports the illegal actions of a convicted felon. The government is controlled by people who don’t want to feed the hungry, who don’t want to clothe the naked, and don’t want to welcome strangers; as Jesus instructs his followers in... Read more
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