I was almost thirteen years old in the summer of 1976 when my father took me to a large religious rally in Phoenix, Arizona. It was America’s Bicentennial, and everything seemed wrapped in red, white, and blue. Patriotism and faith were woven together so tightly in those days that it was hard to tell where […]
The God We Wanted: A Reflection at America’s 250th Read More »
When I was nineteen years old, I lived in a small trailer in Phoenix, Arizona with my brother. We were both trying to build a life after leaving our parents’ home. He worked at Circle K, and I attended Bible school during the day while working nights as a mobile armed guard. We didn’t have
What I Learned Guarding Barry Goldwater Read More »
These were the last words of Renée Good before an ICE agent shot her in the face. A few weeks later, Alex Pretti, a dedicated ICU nurse who was helping others at a protest, was also killed by a federal agent in Minneapolis. These deaths have cut deeply into families, communities, and our national conscience.
I’m Not Mad at You Read More »
One of the most overlooked moments in the life of Jesus happens early, before the crowds, before the healings, before the Sermon on the Mount. It happens quietly, in the wilderness. In that story, Jesus is offered something far more seductive than comfort or bread. He is offered power. Real power. Political influence. Control over
The Temptation Jesus Refused (and the One American Christianity Accepted) Read More »
I don’t wake up thinking about my skin color. It isn’t part of my self-understanding, it doesn’t guide how I move through the world, and it certainly isn’t the foundation of my identity. My family came from the hills of Kentucky. That means something to me… the stubbornness, the loyalty, the humor, the small-town grit,
“Just an Old White Guy” Read More »
We’ve reached a point where words carry more peril than meaning. Entire friendships, careers, and communities can fracture over a phrase that was meant to build connection, not tear it down. What should be normal human dialogue has become a minefield, and everyone seems convinced the other side is the only one creating the danger.
Seeing Each Other Again: On Words, Wounds, and the Bridges We Keep Burning Read More »