Today is the Feast of the Holy Cross, Triumph of the Cross or Exaltation of the Holy Cross — recognized respectively in the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox (Sept. 27) traditions as a day to reflect on the meaning of the cross. As Christians, regardless of denomination, the cross carries easily-recognized significance. It is our … Continue reading The way of the cross — The way of Love
Unity requires an honest view of history
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 will mark the 125th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip Land Run, the largest land run in history. The following post is a reprint of a column originally published Sept. 14, 2018 in the Enid News & Eagle in Enid, Oklahoma. “History is the version of past events that people have decided … Continue reading Unity requires an honest view of history
Duty requires courage, not skulking in the darkness of anonymity
Democracy dies in darkness. The New York Times should have read that bit of wisdom on the masthead of its rival, The Washington Post, before publishing Wednesday an anonymous op-ed from a senior White House official “working diligently from within to frustrate parts of (President Trump’s) agenda and his worst inclinations.” The unnamed official claimed to be protecting America from … Continue reading Duty requires courage, not skulking in the darkness of anonymity
Set down your yoke, through grace
“Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:10-11 This passage recalls an encounter between two … Continue reading Set down your yoke, through grace
Anointing ourselves in unity
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even … Continue reading Anointing ourselves in unity
‘A generational fight’ — Protest organizer recalls desegregating Enid restaurants
This post originally ran as an article in the Sept. 4, 2018 edition of the Enid News & Eagle. It is the third article in a three-part series on sit-in protests and restaurant desegregation in Enid, Oklahoma. ENID, Okla. — On Sept. 4, 1958, 60 years ago today, Enid restaurant owners concluded a meeting with … Continue reading ‘A generational fight’ — Protest organizer recalls desegregating Enid restaurants
Farewell, Maverick: Our loss and our greater call to serve
Friday, Aug. 31, 2018 -- A lion of American public service lies in state in the U.S. Capitol today, at peace after more than six decades of service to our republic. By any measure John McCain was a successful man. But, I don’t believe the outpouring of grief at his death can be attributed entirely, … Continue reading Farewell, Maverick: Our loss and our greater call to serve
The work of hearts and hands
“Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Matthew 15:10-11 All those listening to these words would have been raised under Mosaic Law – a collection of 613 laws that governed every aspect of life, from birth to death and … Continue reading The work of hearts and hands
Lunch counter sit-ins: 60 years later, organizers recall desegregating restaurants
This package of two articles originally was published in the Enid News & Eagle, Enid, Okla., on Aug. 26, 2018, on the eve of the 60th anniversary of lunch counter protests that ended segregation in the city's restaurants and helped shape later civil rights protests throughout the South. ENID, Okla., Aug. 27, 2018 — Sixty years … Continue reading Lunch counter sit-ins: 60 years later, organizers recall desegregating restaurants
Words are good, but action is required to save the church
As Western church attendance wanes among both Catholics and Protestants, the pope’s visit to Ireland this weekend urgently calls for a revival of Christian spirituality and service. But, instead of an impassioned call for revival, the pope’s and the world’s attention will — and should — be focused on clergy sexual abuse, and the church’s … Continue reading Words are good, but action is required to save the church
