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
Category: Politics
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?
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 ยป Celsias
Words Are All We Have…
There are certain persons in our world who have recently been trying to denigrate the importance of words in our world. "Words are fine," they say, "but what really matters is action." In the rhetoric against the power of words, this this code that we use to communicate with one another becomes "just words," as … Continue reading Words Are All We Have…
Equal Time for John McCain
This is a hoot!
Yes, we can…
I don't care about who you are voting for, but this video reflects a call to all of us. Take a few minutes to get inspired. Yes, we can...
The Non-Endorsement Endorsement
As we all know, religious leaders find themselves in difficult positions when it comes to endorsing specific candidates for public office. Officially, the non-profit tax status of the communities that they serve can be put at risk when the leader fails to distinguish between a personal opinion and an official teaching of the church. … Continue reading The Non-Endorsement Endorsement
Bye Fred
NAPLES, Fla. - Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson quit the Republican presidential race on Tuesday, after a string of poor finishes in early primary and caucus states.ADVERTISEMENT"Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort," Thompson … Continue reading Bye Fred
Let’s get really crazy
David Brooks has another good commentary in this mornings New York Times on the similarities and differences between Obama and McCain: But they are very different men. Their policies obviously conflict, but their skills, world views and moral philosophies set them apart, too. One man celebrates communitarian virtues like unity, the other classical virtues like … Continue reading Let’s get really crazy
The Postmodern Politician
"I'm betting on you," Obama told a rapturous audience in Derry on Sunday afternoon. "I don't believe change comes from the top down. It comes from the bottom up." Change will come "if you believe," Obama declares."When you've got a working majority behind you," he says at another point, "you can't be stopped." Transformation is … Continue reading The Postmodern Politician
From the mouths of babes…
A conversation that brings me joy and gives me hope: Dad, I wish they would stop talking so much about those Iowa caucus things. After all, it's not like it's the final election or anything. But they are important honey. It's the first sign of who might be nominated as the candidates that we will … Continue reading From the mouths of babes…
The Two Earthquakes
I have rarely been accused of being a conservative, but I find that I sometimes resonate with the writings of David Brooks, the "conservative" columnist for the New York Times. His latest column reflecting on the outcome of the Iowa caucuses reflects some of my own thoughts, and I commend it to you this morning. … Continue reading The Two Earthquakes
The possibility…
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author and are in no way reflective of any official or unofficial positions of the Antioch United Methodist Church were the author serves as pastor, nor represent the official teaching of the United Methodist Church. Not long ago I was talking with someone … Continue reading The possibility…
Only Wonder Understands 