Category: Words & Writing
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Philip Yancey Falls from Grace
Phil Yancey has written a shelf of books on spiritual topics. There’s no doubt he’s been successful, reportedly selling 15 million copies to a primarily evangelical audience. In 1998 I heard Yancey speak at a Festival of Faith & Writing at Calvin College (now University). I appreciated his straightforward way of approaching theology. In the…
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Giraffes & Joy
Could you use a dose of joy today? Sometimes it can be hard to find. A few weeks ago, we found a big dose of joy by hanging out with some giraffes! This is how and why that happened. We recognize that it was a great privilege to take this trip. I hope it encourages…
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Leading Ideas Talks
If you’re coming over from the Leading Ideas podcast, welcome! I appreciate your interest in the work of pursuing justice for victims and and survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct. The Lewis Center for Church Leadership comes out of the United Methodist tradition. I welcome all partners in this important work. Ann Michel interviewed me…
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NYC Weekend: Celebrating a Milestone Birthday
How do you celebrate a milestone birthday? Last summer as I enjoyed some friend’s photos of NYC, I realized that it’s been almost a decade since I visited the Big Apple. I decided my upcoming birthday was a perfect time to fix that! I made hotel reservations on Expedia and researched the Broadway shows. Doug…
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Embassy Tour 2022 — European Union
How often are you able to set foot in five different countries in one day? That’s one reason why folks lined up for the European Union Embassy Tour 2022, which took place on May 14. When you enter an embassy you are technically on that country’s soil. That reality came home when we passed through…
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Embassy Tour in DC, May 2022
Every year the Embassies in Washington DC host an Embassy Tour on two Saturdays in May except, of course, for the last two pandemic years — which means there was pent-up demand and excitement. May 7 was the reception for the non-European countries. May 14 was the EU’s turn. We stepped foot in a dozen…
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My Review of “Christ and the Multiverse” by David Williams
Here’s how my review of “Christ and the Multiverse” by David Williams begins . . . . Can you recall the moment in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” when Lucy enters the wardrobe? She expects to touch the back wall so she goes “further in” and finds herself in a world called Narnia,…
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Who’s Responsible for the Male Gaze?
In the past few days, a Baptist minister from Missouri, Stewart-Allen Clark, has garnered national attention. (A snippet from the viral video of the sermon is linked below.) He preaches specifically about the male gaze, telling women that they’re responsible for what their husbands look at. “Don’t give him a reason to be looking around.”…
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The Palisades Community Church
I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been called to a new position as the Transitional Senior Pastor at The Palisades Community Church in Washington, DC. I will serve half-time through September, 2021. Join us for worship via Zoom! I’ll be preaching online every Sunday morning (10:00 AM) and hosting a Wednesday evening check-in (7:00 PM).…
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Welcome!
If you’re coming over from listening to one of my recent podcasts, welcome, and thanks for stopping by! Please click around and see what speaks to your situation. There are more than a dozen podcasts to choose from, and a blog with lots of archives to search. If you’re a victim or survivor of sexual…
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The Virgin Mary
Growing up as a Protestant, I learned to hold the Virgin Mary at arm’s length, but over the years, I’ve come to adore her. Four years ago I wrote a piece for the Washington Post. At the time it made a bit of a fuss, largely because Breitbart was trending hard, and picked up on…