Forgiveness and freedom

Parents Left behind continues to reach out to grieving parents. Next Saturday there will be a gathering. A gathering of remarkable people. A gathering of incredible courage. A gathering rich with support and empathy. Be thankful if you are not invited. Parents Left...

God’s first Bible

I took my second sabbatical after fourteen years as pastor of Rolling Hills Baptist Church.  Again, I went west.  These are some observations… Inside my tent, surrounded by a makeshift grizzly alarm, I see the pink alpenglow as sunrise arrives over the rocky...

Greater love

As I imagined my death I prayed, “Lord, find me…” My mother remarried when I was thirteen years old. Jim was a kind and gracious man. He treated me and my sisters like we were his own. It was wonderful to see my mother so happy and no longer afraid....

Building Bridges

18 months after this column the first residents moved into their cottages at New Beginnings. Someone is standing at an intersection with a sign or maybe they stop by and ask me for help. I never know what to do. I usually pray and hope for discernment. Do they want...

Shackles and pepper spray

Years later I still wonder about these boys… The other day someone slammed a door in my house. It was an unusual event. “Who did that?” “What is wrong?” “Is someone upset?” The perp was identified, the problem was discussed, hugs were shared. Drama over. But I...

Hobbit Spirituality

I think Tolkien knew exactly what he was doing.  TMZ reports that in the span of just 24 hours, Kim Kardashian racked up 42.8 million views on her Snapchat accounts, over 4 million likes on her Instagram posts, and generated 84 million views on Twitter. According to...