The dreaded “white paper” invitation to jury duty arrived in the mail a couple months ago. It only meant that I COULD be called to serve, not that I WOULD be called. But I knew they’d call me this time. I just knew it somehow. The more dreaded “yellow paper” invitation arrived later, saying that … More Big Fun at Jury Duty
As I am reading about and reflecting on the events on Azuza street, over 110 years ago, I’m struck by how disappointed and disillusioned W.J. Seymour became in the new Pentecostal Movement. At it’s very start, it broke down barriers of race and class and language, as the experiences of miraculous Holy Ghost manifestations, especially … More Pentecostal Power Revisited
This past weekend, instead of preaching a sermon on the boy who gave his lunch away from John chapter 6, I wrote a story to illustrate it. I think it’s far better to read the story than hear me read it to you, so here you go. One day a boy named Josiah said to … More Josiah’s Lunch Break
I am going to gush here. I’m sorry. No, I’m not… but… There was a piano in the Hamm home way before there was me, and more importantly, there was always my brother John to play it. A favorite pastime for me is lying on the couch in the living room reading (I was ALWAYS … More My Favorite Musician… Ever…
So, one of my biggest heroes in the church world has fallen. Check it out here. “fallen” should be in quotes, because I’m not certain (how can I be) that the situation has been reported fairly, but other Christian leaders who have earned my trust have stepped up to state that they are very … More Bill Hybels Retires Early
Now that I have your attention… No, I’m not going to get political… seriously… Today a 77 year old woman in 4 inch heels filibustered for 8 hours. She stood for an entire workday, with no break for the bathroom, or any time to sit down. She prayed the rosary, she read from the Bible, … More Discipleship: Nancy Pelosi Style
Another song blog from “Sleepers.” Sorry that I took a break from these for a few weeks. December is BUSY! This is a song about repentance. The mistake that some in Christian faith traditions make, in my experience, is in thinking that repentance (“changing your mind” is the literal definition of the original Greek term … More Turn
What does it mean that Jesus is Jesus’ biological parent, and we are adopted? Is he God’s “real” child, and we are “almost real”? Nope. When you adopt a child in most states in the US… at the court the judge looks right in your eyes and asks if you will raise this child … More Real Children? Or Not?
Another song blog from “Sleepers.” It’s a cold winter’s day, so… …imagine it’s early springtime and you are enjoying the new change of seasons. You’re in a marvelous spot somewhere out in the country. There are no traffic noises or car horns. Just some chatty birds or noisy crickets or the wind rubbing the tree … More Sweet Air
Another song blog from “Sleepers.” It’s too easy to just say “hey pick yourself up” to folks who are really down. It’s not that easy, and we’ve learned so much about the way the mind operates and about how emotions change us and help us and hurt us. I like that in our society, mental … More Cruel Earth
P-Squared 