Some in our pews have political, theological, and experiential bricks stacked so high around the borders of their souls that they are unable to hear the cries of the immigrant.
Do Not Care?
When the storm hits the disciples’ boat as it crosses the Sea of Galilee, Jesus’s apathy is noted. Could there be anything more apathetic than sleeping?
The Word (John 1)
John is saying that Jesus has always been the plan. Jesus has always been what God is saying.
The Importance of Prepositions
I want to take that notion of being responsible to others instead of for others, and apply it to the church.
Weary (A Poem for the Perplexed in this Political Age)
Mankind. An oxymoron? A question? One part man, less parts kind, One wonders what peace there we can find …
Where There's Smoke...There's Losing It All
Lush green lawns turned light brown and flower gardens withered, including mine—except for the drought tolerant weeds and evergreen cedars reaching up to the eaves of my house.
Making Disciples When Evangelism Is Not Your Gift
Let me suggest some ways that all of us—including preachers and church leaders—should be making disciples.
Burning Buns and Dreams that Come True
Nearly fifty percent of doctoral students in the arts (including biblical literature) fail to finish their degrees within ten years.
Keeping Ourselves—and Young People—Near the Cross
I’ve always been slightly jealous of congregations with “real” youth groups. You know the ones I’m talking about: the ones with well-painted and decorated class rooms.
The Affair That Ended My Ministry
As an undergraduate at ACU I discovered an unexpected enthusiasm for my studies of the Old Testament and the Hebrew language.
Summer ’43 (cont.), Winners, and Summer ’18
Throughout the month of July 1943, seventy-five years ago, my mother continued her fight against polio.
Conversation Skilz
talking to each other requires skill just like giving a presentation. We already know how we should talk to each other, but we rarely converse that way on our own.
(Story Day) Warning: Pastor Burning
After my fourth surgery, I began to experience dreams that I had resigned my university tenure and gone back to pastor a church, nightmares that left me panicked and afraid.
Where Are You Going, Abram?
The time has come for my family and I to finally move out of Texas and into the city of brotherly love.
The Way of Wise Leadership
Phronesis is the wisdom drawn from experience, knowledge and insight to do the good and right thing in any particular context and moment.
Breaking News... 75 Years ago: Tomorrow
On June 27th, 1943, the Hatter family drove from their home in Handley, Texas (between Arlington and Fort Worth) to Waco, Texas, to visit Granny and Grandad Hatter.
Are the Doors of Your Church Open?
We need to be very honest with ourselves. There are so many people who consider coming through the doors of our churches but choose to keep on walking.
(Story Day) And Now a Word from Our Sponsor: Pain
We now pause to bring you a word from our sponsor, the one who makes our story possible: Pain.
Seeing with Godly Eyes (Part 1)
What we see when we look in the mirror isn’t just a reflection of reality; we often see a construct of our own making, created from the thoughts, opinions, and self-evaluations in our heads.
Leaving Church: What I'm Learning (Part 1)
It seems to be true that when you work for a church, the ups and downs and gains and losses have a deeper significance than in other industries.