A letter to Senior Pastors. . . .
Dear Pastor, I’ve asked your youthworker and your students’ parents to forward this letter on to you. It’s about the kids in your congregation and the powerful role that you play as their pastor in their spiritual nurture. I know…
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Is something askew? . . .
If your newspaper is anything like mine, your last several days of papers offer some significant insight into not only the state of our culture, but the condition of the human heart. It’s made me ask, “As long as I’m…
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Redeemed. . . .
I’ve been involved in a very encouraging adult class at our church the past few Sunday mornings. Dozens of young parents (kids mostly elementary and pre-school age) have been gathering to hear about today’s youth culture. A rotating group of…
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Progress? . . . .
Don’t for a minute think that I’m thumping my chest with “I told you so!” arrogance. That’s not the case at all. Nor do I claim to have any special powers that allow me to look into the future. Figuring…
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A fun music question. . . .
I’d never been to a Broadway show until last Friday night. A generous friend set us up with tickets to see Jersey Boys, a wonderful musical that tells the story of Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. I grew up…
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These are our times. . . .
For some reason, this has been a day for pondering our changing world. I’m currently in Indiana where I spoke earlier today at the Prevent Child Abuse Howard County annual meeting. The gathering of youth serving professionals from law enforcement,…
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Sugarcoated. . . .
Byron Borger’s July 1, 2004 blog is one of the reasons why I keep telling people that Byron’s Hearts and Minds bookstore is the greatest bookstore in the world. I’ve known Byron for years. His pastor’s heart and love for…
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Liturgy and depression. . .
The statistics on depression are, well. . . . depressing. Depression has been called the common cold of emotional problems. The American Psychiatric Association reports that depression affects nearly one in 10 adults every year. One study of students in…
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Optimism reigns. . . .
And so it begins again. Another opening day – barring rain – for my beloved Philadelphia Phillies. The routine in my brain is the same as it’s been this time every year since I can remember. . . . 1964…
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Suffering is necessary. . .
Dave Matthews is still looking. While it’s heartbreaking for those who have been embraced by the One he is seeking to look into Matthews’ search for redemption through the window of his music, it’s a window that offers glimpses of…
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Interesting story and song. . . .
I’m always looking out for the positive signs of life in media culture. Having spent my high school and college years in the seventies, The Eagles were always on my musical radar. I wore out my vinyl copies of Hotel…
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Bleacher Theology. . . .
Last Saturday – as I’ve done on numerous spring Saturdays for the last nine years – I attended one of my son’s lacrosse games. This year it’s somewhat bitter sweet as we’re counting down the number of games left in…
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