What might it be like to have the status of the most despised person in the US? Right now, that position belongs to Ethan Couch, with the secondary position going to his enabling mother, Tonya. Everyone knows the story by now. At age 16, Ethan steals beer, drives his pickup along a dark road, hits and kills four pedestrians, rolls the truck, paralyzing and leaving permanently brain-damaged one of his friends in the car. Even hours later, his blood alcohol... Read more
What motivates people to show up after disasters to do the rubber-necking thing? I call them “disaster tourists” because they cause huge congestion and keep the trained workers from doing what must be done. Why do we love action movies where cars blow up and ships sink and buildings collapse? What is it that draws us to the edge of volcanoes and near dangerous animals? What pulls us to sporting events where fights are likely or vehicles collide at high... Read more
[Note: I wrote a version of this post several years ago following some other natural disaster. After the horrific damage from the December 26 tornadoes in Dallas, I’m already seeing people set up collection centers for used clothing and toiletries. Not a good idea.] The number one thing is, “Don’t send your used shoes.” Compassionate people plus tough and tragic situations equals a desire to do something, anything, to relieve suffering. So we ask, “How can I help?” There’s plenty of suffering... Read more
Note from The Thoughtful Pastor: I wrote this last year, and thought it might be helpful advice again. My newspaper column runs on Christmas Day this year, so hold these thoughts until then–or until you need them! ‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house all the creatures were bloated, down to the last mouse. The boxes were scattered, empty and bare in hopes that the trash man soon would be there. The children were fighting over stuff in... Read more
Those disruptive disciples flame with life and passion for God, frequently discard old structures in favor of new and untapped missions, ignore many of the rules and openly break others, and leave unsettledness in their wake. I was in a conversation last night with a good friend about the nature of discipleship. She’s been placed in charge of discipleship for her large church, a United Methodist congregation. We chatted about the history of discipleship plans there. Mostly they involved making sure... Read more
I watched part of the Republican debate last night (Dec. 15). I chose to listen with a more generous spirit than I have to date. Each candidate genuinely believes that he/she is uniquely suited to be President of the US, an extraordinarily difficult job where every single action and word will be critiqued, examined, and probably slammed by those who dislike whoever the winner ends up to be. That takes guts. Or an extreme lack of caring what others think.... Read more
But it is the shorter days here in the northern hemisphere help bring on Christmas sadness. I turn on every light in the house trying to fight back the darkness. This time of year has always been tough for me, and Christmas is anything but a favorite holiday. In my growing up years, it was a time of growing tension yearly between my mom and dad. I, as the ultra-sensitive, peace-making middle child held and internalized much of that tension... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I have a question about praying in public and the scripture verse from Matthew 6:5. There is a man that dresses in a bright neon yellow robe at night. I’ve seen him in the daytime in a white robe and headdress as well. He carries with him a wooden staff that is longer than he is tall. He is goes all over the city, but mainly stays on a bridge praying for people. Recently he was at... Read more
I’m telling you: this may be the most brilliant analysis of Donald Trump’s campaign ever. Wish I had been smart enough to write it. I encourage you to read it, but below are the particularly salient sentences: “Trump will soon reveal that his campaign is pure satirical theater, a performance artist’s pièce de résistance. He is actually still the liberal he used to be and his rhetoric on the campaign trail is a work of art designed to reveal the darkest... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I have been wondering what it is about the Islamic religion that justifies the actions taken against innocent civilians? Certainly people have been making war on each other for as long as we have been called Human A long time ago we decided to formalize this ritual killing into something called war. We set rules. As we got better at war, we set tighter rules. Now most of the world believes it is ok to kill members... Read more
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