The Ghost of Christmas Pride

When my caroling group gave the desperate man a helping hand, we were proud of ourselves. We expected gratitude. We thought someone begging on the street would be thankful for our holiday kindness. We couldn't have been more wrong....

Do Not Hinder Them

But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." This week the U.S. Census Bureau released data showing...

Republicans Want Health Care, Too

I'm a registered Republican. I didn't vote for Barack Obama. I believe in free-market enterprise. I like smaller government. There, I said it. It's out! That said, I think government plays essential roles in any civilized society. Defense, interstate highways,...

The Heart of Reform

I approach the discussion about health-care reform from the perspective of an urban minister. I've worked with urban core neighbors, neighborhoods, congregations, and community groups for more than 20 years. I've watched people struggle to access basic health services...

If Ruth Came to America

Tonight begins the festival of Shavuot. In biblical times, it was seen as the celebration time for the successful spring wheat and barley harvests. In Rabbinic Judaism, it has been seen as the celebration time for the harvesting of Torah...

Filling the 'Hole'

As the pastor of a church with a deep desire to love others as Christ would, I've recently been telling folks, "If you only read one book this year, then you must read The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard...

The Gospel of Radical Reversals

Jesus, who was a Palestinian Jew living under Roman occupation, preached a message that was anti-state and anti-religious imperialism. In fact, many believe that the Roman authorities and the elite within the Sanhedrin killed Jesus for espousing this anti-Roman, anti-Sanhedrin...

Homeless Karaoke

Providing impoverished people with food and shelter is crucial. But giving them an audience may be even more necessary.