Circuit Writer

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While enjoying a very good game between my beloved St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves this evening, I was struck by comments made by the Fox Sports Midwest announcing crew.  Al Hrabosky and Rick Horton were covering the game this evening, and made a point of lifting up the success of Braves’ pitching coach Roger McDowell for the success of a very young Atlanta pitching staff.  While this credit is no doubt deserved, I found myself taking exception with comments made to the effect that McDowell was an “example” for his young players.  After his inexcusable behavior earlier this season prior to a game against the San Francisco Giants in which he made homophobic comments and gestures towards fans (actions for which he was suspended and fined by Major League Baseball), McDowell shouldn’t be paid the compliment of being an “example.” continue reading…

My column for the April 10 – April 16, 2011 edition of The Tahlequah Christian.

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I stumbled onto an incredible little factoid while doing some research. Apparently there are two human-made structures that can be seen from space. One of which you may have guessed: the Great Wall of China. The other, you likely will not have guessed. It’s the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, New York. So when the angels look down upon us, they see one of our great ancient achievements and one of our greatest contemporary failures. continue reading…

My column for the April 03 – April 09, 2011 edition of The Tahlequah Christian.

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I just recently discovered a small blurb of an article posted on the Disciples New Service at our denominational website, and thought that it really deserved a little bit stronger coverage. It announced that Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins had signed onto a statement entitled “Religious Leaders Stand Shoulder-to-Shoulder Against Extremism of All Kinds in Support of American Values.” Although it is clear that we are called not to participate in religious intolerance of any kind, this document specifically addressed the hearings on “the extent of radicalization of American Muslims” in the Homeland Security committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. continue reading…

My column for the March 27 – April 02, 2011 edition of The Tahlequah Christian.

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Ok, I’ve been flirting with this idea and trying to ignore it for a couple of weeks now, but after I followed a “this day in history” link, I realized that it must be a sign that I could no longer avoid the topic. This day in history (Tuesday, March 29), 38 years ago, the final U.S. troops withdrew from South Vietnam, effectively ending the Vietnam War for us as a nation. This long, bloody, and incredibly unpopular war continue reading…

Ok, this is a short history on the origins of the King James Version of the bible.  Now I will be the first to say that a blog-oriented approach history has some definite limitations, but as an overall short introduction, it’s a good read.  I also should through the caveat that I don’t necessarily agree with the authors opinions all the way through – it’s a little too optimistic and smacks a wee bit of a funny form of spirit-based piety, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the read as a quick primer of the KJV. continue reading…

Here’s another great article brought to my attention by the the Disciple’s Advocate (Vol. 9 no. 1), a regular publication of Disciples Home Missions.  It excerpted a larger article by Bill McConnell that was written for The Columbia Partnership.  You can link to the full post at the end of this excerpt.

This past year has been a difficult one in ministry for me. Several people I like very much have chosen to leave the congregation I serve. People coming and going is not an unusual occurrence in a larger church. Even though I know I am not supposed to, I took the departure of these people very personally continue reading…

I’m excerpting a copy of this post written by Rev. Craig Watts for the Disciples Peace Fellowship that was also featured in the Disciple’s Advocate (Vol. 9 no. 1) a publication of Disciples Home Missions.  It’s a great theological statement and well worth the read.  You can read the entire article by following the link below.

I am an atheist.  Sure lots of people have heard me talk about God, write favorable things about God, pray and worship.  And it was all sincere.  Still I am an atheist.  I’m an atheist the way the members of the early church were atheistic.  Atheism was one of the central charges officials of the Roman Empire made against Christians.  They were vilified for “irreligiosities” continue reading…

My column for the March 20 – March 26, 2011 edition of The Tahlequah Christian.

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It turns out that this late Lenten Season is making for a very busy time of the year – and busy can mean a lot of excitement. This year we are definitely living up to that billing, and I want to take a moment to fill you in on what’s going on.

Aside from our Lenten outreach campaign to raise money for our local ministry partners (a campaign that is right on track, by the way – we’ll be giving you a full update this coming Sunday!) continue reading…

My column for the March 6 – March 19, 2011 edition of The Tahlequah Christian.

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As we move forward with a proposed community gardening project here at First Christian, composting is a term we might become a little more familiar with along the way. The composting process involves the decomposition of plant matter and other organic materials into a form of fertilizer useful for gardens, lawns, and other growing projects.  In essence, it’s a kind of recycling continue reading…

My column for the February 28 – March 5, 2011 edition of The Tahlequah Christian.

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It’s not quite yet the Lenten season, but it’s close! Next week, on Wednesday, March 9, we will being the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m. We will gather to share a contemplative service of ashes and begin our Lenten journey toward Jerusalem and the cross. I hope that you will join us continue reading…