A top lieutenant to Martin Luther King Jr. was sentenced Wednesday in a Virginia court to 15 years in prison for incest for having sex with his teenage daughter.The Rev. James L. Bevel was a key architect of the 1963 Children's Crusade in Birmingham, Ala., and other pivotal moments of the civil rights movement. He … Continue reading Bevel
Category: Community
Thoughts on life together
A World Premiere
With Apologies to Dr. Seuss
Once upon a time, in the land of Kazoo, lived two grizzled old men, one red and one blue. Across the street from each other, in houses alike, and out on the street they both road their bikes. But though they were bikers, and lived very close, they avoided each other, and thought the other … Continue reading With Apologies to Dr. Seuss
McCain and the Tongue
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.—James … Continue reading McCain and the Tongue
To Be A Maverick
The word “maverick” has been tossed about quite a bit lately, and I always love to consider the origins of words. Consider Merriam Webster’s definition: mav·er·ick 1: an unbranded range animal ; especially : a motherless calf 2: an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party Etymology: Samuel A. Maverick … Continue reading To Be A Maverick
McCain’s Speech Backgroun
Late Update: I'm surprised this hadn't occurred to me. But several readers have suggested that perhaps one of the tech geeks charged with setting up the audio/visual bells and whistles for the evening was tasked with getting pictures of Walter Reed Army Medical Center but goofed and got this instead. At first I thought, No, … Continue reading McCain’s Speech Backgroun
The Culture War is Back
Watching the GOP in the storm they've created, I've come to a sad conclusion - the culture war is back, even angrier and more brutal than ever. Listening to Rudy spew sarcasm and disdain last night, talking about cosmopolitan values about a man raised by a single mom in Kansas, following the air war & … Continue reading The Culture War is Back
What’s A Hook Anyway?
Thanks to all who responded to my question asking for help with my October sermon series. As the comments have rolled in, it’s become clear that my specificity in what I was looking for was lacking. So here are a few thoughts on the sermon series development process. When I talk about a “hook,” I … Continue reading What’s A Hook Anyway?
Metro tackles truancy with help center
Students brought into the new Metro Attendance Center have a choice — take a citation, head to court and risk paying more than $100 in fines and fees or accept social services offered by the center and don't miss school for six straight weeks.Most choose the latter. Metro tackles truancy with help center | http://www.tennessean.com … Continue reading Metro tackles truancy with help center
Meet Antioch halfway — Nashville City Paper
At the same time, Antioch is one of the places in Metro where truly affordable housing for young, working families exists, and one of the few places left with ready interstate access and wide open green spaces for economic development. There is also a truly diverse, multi-racial and ethnic community in the area that brings … Continue reading Meet Antioch halfway — Nashville City Paper
The Embracing Church: Tolerance, Inclusion, and Embrace
This is the third in a sermon series on The Embracing Church For the past couple of weeks, we have been thinking together about what it might be to be a church which is known to welcome all with the love of God, a church that reaches out with grace and acceptance to draw folks … Continue reading The Embracing Church: Tolerance, Inclusion, and Embrace
The Embracing Church: The Ways We Exclude
This is the second sermon in a series on The Embracing Church “Okay, guys. It’s time to choose sides…” Those words are part of a ritual that has been a part of our lives almost from the beginning. It is a ritual that has been seen again and again in countless gyms, on schoolyards, and … Continue reading The Embracing Church: The Ways We Exclude
Living in the Expansive Kingdom of God
The other night, after spending an rare hour at the gym followed by another hour at the supermarket, I was standing in my kitchen putting away the last of the groceries when I heard a quiet “woof” at my feet. I looked down and there were two enormous brown eyes staring up at me longingly … Continue reading Living in the Expansive Kingdom of God
The Best Justice System in the Land?
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. -- Multiple sclerosis has Paul House in a wheelchair. A tenacious prosecutor has him on death row, deemed too dangerous to be released two years after the U.S. Supreme Court said he likely isn't guilty. That closely watched ruling, which made it easier for inmates to get new hearings on DNA evidence that … Continue reading The Best Justice System in the Land?
The Costs of War
It's early Monday morning and I should be asleep, but for some reason I haven't been tired and so I decided to check out the Frontline site to check on the latest documentary. I came upon a program called Bad Voodoo's War, which followed a National Guard platoon during their tour of Iraq. Their story … Continue reading The Costs of War
Why Not Write Jeremiah Wright Off?
As you know from an earlier post, I found Barack Obama's speech yesterday to be a helpful addition to the continuing conversation on race in America. Senator Obama named realities that are rarely named by politicians, noting that we have come far but still have a long way to go. Personally, I think it reads … Continue reading Why Not Write Jeremiah Wright Off?
Obama on Race
Think what you will, but this is a worthwhile video for all folks to watch.
Was Thomas Jefferson a “Christian”?
At least one historian thinks not: In fact, it was because he [Jefferson] thought Christianity had been so thoroughly corrupted that he created his own Bible, slicing out the miracles and thereby "rescuing" Jesus and separating the "diamonds" from the "dunghill" that was the rest of the Bible. Imagine the attack ads that could be made … Continue reading Was Thomas Jefferson a “Christian”?
This is a hoot!
I Always Knew that Farm Subsidies Didn’t Make Sense…
Why Eating a Big Mac is Cheaper than Eating a Salad » Celsias
Only Wonder Understands 