Reading John 9:13-23 Reflection Jesus has helped his disciples move from laying blame to discovering the meaning of God’s purposes through healing a man born blind. But the story doesn’t end there. The Jewish leaders come onto the scene with some very clear blinders in place. Rather than being able to enter the demonstration of…
The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself. ~ Mark Twain Acceptance of one’s life has nothing to do with resignation; it does not mean running away from the struggle. On the contrary, it means accepting it as it comes, with all the handicaps of heredity, of suffering, of psychological complexes and injustices. ~…
I haven’t written much about HIV/AIDS on this blog for a few reasons. First, I don’t feel like I have the knowledge to write helpful posts on the topic. Second, while this is an important topic, it hasn’t been a particular focus at New Direction. And third, I do not want to perpetuate the stereotype…
On Sunday night I had the opportunity to speak with a group of students. In the days prior to the talk I had several conversations with the youth pastor and with an elder from the church. It’s understandable, that the leaders of an evangelical church, who will also have to try to communicate with parents,…
Sometimes I forget. I don’t mean to …. it just happens. I forget the powerful feeling of being trapped, with no space to ask questions, wrestle, consider options, or simply honestly reflect on one’s experience and faith journey. I forget because I know so many gay Christians who have already made the difficult journey to…
It has often been my contention that there are things that I, as a mainly straight person, can say in this conversation that would be difficult for my LGBT brothers and sisters to say. And there are things that they can say that I have no business saying. When we stand side-by-side in solidarity and…
As some of you know, I started work on my doctorate degree last week. I’ve always loved to learn and I am excited after 12 years to be back in school. It is a three – four year program of studies that are meant to coincide with continuing on in your ministry position. So while…
There is no question that my sense of mission and focus has been evolving over the last number of years. This hasn’t been an easy journey for many different reasons. People on all sides of the questions around integrating faith and sexuality have, at times, misunderstood my intentions or misjudged my motives. Sometimes that has…
I’d been pondering a post on this topic for a while. Partly, it was percolating. Partly, I was probably procrastinating. I’d been thinking about this statement, “Did God really say?” I’m sure, if you have been in the Christian church for any length of time, you’ve heard this. It’s context comes out of the creation…
On my way to St. Louis to speak at the Urbana Student Missions conference, I had the opportunity to re-read Jean Vanier’s book, “Finding Peace”. If you haven’t read this little gem – go get it and read it! In its pages I was again inspired, revitalized and focused to continue our bridge-building work as…