Earth Day (April 22) isn’t normally considered a Christian holiday. I think it should be. The Bible starts off with “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Unfortunately, the Christian world has spent way too much time and energy arguing the specifics of that creation, and too...

We began a homeless ministry in January, and we have housed from 2-10 people each night since then, using the existing facilities of 8 different churches.  This IHELP model (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program) offers our homeless guests up to 90 days in a shelter, with showers, dinners, brown-bag-lunches-to-go, and...

I am often on Facebook and Twitter, and I enjoy it.  (I also try and keep up with my kids and grandkids on Instagram and Snapchat, but I don’t post much there.)  I use social media for fun, to communicate to people important to me, to promote my faith, beliefs,...

I was looking for the right image, artwork, or photograph for this blog, so I googled “love” and I looked at the resulting images trying to find what I wanted.   There were hearts.  Flowers.  Couples kissing.  Children holding hands.  Picnics.  Puppies.  Sunrises and sunsets.  Diamond rings. All of them beautiful...

I had an interesting interview a couple of weeks ago.  A doctoral student was conducting research, wanting to find out why a few pastors are able to stay in the same church for many years.  He knew I had been here at FSBCA for 17 and a half years.  He started by saying...

Dear President-Elect Trump: Congratulations on winning the presidential Election! To be honest, I was among the many Americans who were frustrated with the choice between you and Clinton.  Neither one of you gave me great hope.  Nevertheless, before the election, I made some commitments to the winning candidate.  I want you to...

Dear Mr(s). President: I write this well before the election, because I don’t want you to think that this letter is overly personal.  The things that I say and the prayer that I offer applies to you whether your name is Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. I must be honest.  I have...

I admit it.  I was getting cranky and frustrated—and maybe even a little bit angry—during this very strange presidential election.  The lies, the filth, the innuendos, and the name-calling by the candidates were deeply disturbing to me.  And the angry posts from believers (and friends) on Facebook were getting to...

It’s popular to trash talk and put down police departments and officers in America today.  A few NFL players (see my previous blog) have refused to stand during the National Anthem due to perceived racism in police departments.  Riots in both small and large American cities have focused their anger on the police.   This growing...

Colin, I respect your right to take a stand by choosing not to stand during the National Anthem.  I admire the fact that you have a social conscience and the desire to speak to the issues of our day.  I recognize that we still have some serious racial divides and issues in...