By Dr. Brenda on
1/18/2011 5:16 PM
Let it Snow!
By Erica Hunt
I usually get frustrated by unexpected distractions. I like to work my way through a task on my own time and in my own way. I try to minimize interruptions and stay focused.
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By Dr. Brenda on
1/4/2011 11:30 PM
How Do We View Others?
By Jason Dewey
I’d like to tell you about a friend of mine who I’ll call Mike. Mike is a high-level corporate executive and a retired Navy commander. He is married with three children and lives in a nice home in the suburbs. He is a gifted speaker and teacher and serves faithfully in his local church. Mike also enjoys playing tennis and golf. Do you have an image in your head of what Mike might look like? If so, what color is Mike in that image?
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By Dr. Brenda on
12/20/2010 10:59 AM
Joy and Suffering: A Call to Action
By Allison Ash
My 11-month old daughter will be celebrating her first Christmas this year. This advent season, I am beginning to understand what I have heard other parents say for years: when you have a child, you experience childhood excitement all over again. Getting a Christmas tree… decorating the house… I’m actually EXCITED again when I see Santa in a shopping mall. My joy is deep and fulfilling as I’m watching my daughter grow every day and experience these exciting things of life that are brand new to her.
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By Dr. Brenda on
11/17/2010 9:18 AM
Welcoming the Stranger
By Karl Ostroski
Ella Demus is 88 years old and was born in Sweden to Swedish parents. She moved to the US when she was a mere 12 months old, but because an immigration/naturalization law changed around the time her father became a US citizen his status did not pass to her. When she recently applied for social security benefits she realized the US Government had no proof she was a citizen. You can see the article here.
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By Dr. Brenda on
10/29/2010 12:13 PM
The “Yet to Be” United States of America – Tea Party vs. The NAACP
By Quentin Mumphery
There are moments in life, where an unexpected chain of events can have a lasting impact. A simple conversation or statement can become much more than the speaker intended it to be. Such was the case this past summer for Shirley Sherrod – an official within the US Dept. of Agriculture. Her words became part of a battle that erupted this past summer between leaders of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and leaders of the Tea Party Movement. Mrs. Sherrod had given a speech back in March at an event for the Georgia NAACP. Four months later, a 2 minute excerpt from her 45 minute speech became an incendiary in the conflagration that emerged from this tea Party vs. NAACP battle.
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By Dr. Brenda on
10/18/2010 8:51 AM
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Family: The Seed of the Tree
by Carlos Ruiz
As on every Monday morning, it was time to take a walk with my 9 months old son. I took the stroller and buckled the straps. I could see his innocent eyes fixated on me and it touched my heart. I realized that day that my son would go with me anywhere I wanted to take him without really having a choice in the matter. It really moved me to think that I had the privilege of exposing him to all the wonderful things in the world and, at the same time, I feared about the reality that he would be exposed to the heartbreaking situations that happen in this world as well.
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By Dr. Brenda on
9/13/2010 10:12 AM
Systemic Injustice through Abortions Must Be Addressed in the Body of Christ
By Grace Biskie
Abortion continues to thrive in poor urban areas. Unfortunately, many pro-life Churches address abortion in these areas with defensive tactics like protesting abortion clinics. What if the body of Christ instead focused solutions to the conditions that perpetuate abortions? Or what if we focused on abortion education and learned how Planned Parenthoods came to reside in those urban neighborhoods? What if we got creative in our approach to this complex issue?
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By Dr. Brenda on
8/30/2010 3:51 PM
Why I Don't Agree With Racial Reconciliation
By Jason Dewey
Were you surprised by the title of this post? Are you reading this because you can’t believe that I would make such a statement? Let me assure you that I am actually fully committed to the concept of reconciliation. My problem is with the word racial.
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By Dr. Brenda on
8/19/2010 9:43 AM
All In
By Greg Yee
I’m learning more and more each day, but it takes work - a lot of work. I’m learning that the pathway to experiencing true Kingdom community does not happen casually. I realize that it is a worldview changer and shift in life disposition. It is like the young rich ruler who asked Jesus what it took. He declared his commitment to following at least the last five commandments. He was probably a great church-goer. Yet, Jesus invited him to cash in his entire portfolio and to serve people. The man walked away sad because this was too difficult. Today, I believe that the church is stuffed with a lot of young rich rulers that keep us from Kingdom community life.
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By Dr. Brenda on
7/30/2010 11:52 PM
"For Kate"
by Erica Hunt
"What does that mean?"
"What is she doing?"
"Why is he wearing that robe?"
My daughters’ whispered questions scattered through the Mass tested my recollection of religion classes in high school and college. I quickly realized that, as a life-long Protestant, I had many more questions than answers about the liturgy, saints, prayers and chants of the Catholic Church.
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