Category Archives: Uncategorized

A devotional written on the 8th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings …

Monday, December 14th [Reference: Habakkuk 3:17-18] December 14 is a date etched in my brain and occupies permanent space in my heart.  It was on Friday, December 14, 2012 that a lone gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School just as … Continue reading

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Reading During Covid …

[June 28, 2021, an update to this list of books read during Covid. Though we’re vaccinated and out in the world again, we are still taking time to read in the mornings. We don’t get to it every day, with … Continue reading

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Friday the 13th (Redux)

There are not many markers along the way during months of sheltering in place during a pandemic. But because ours began on Friday, March 13, and today it’s Friday November 13, it seemed an occasion worth noting. Little has changed … Continue reading

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Churches are essential …

[A note:  This opinion piece was written on May 25, 2020 and was accepted for publication by cleveland.com for on-line and print in the Plain Dealer.  Later on that same day, the news broke of George Floyd being killed by … Continue reading

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Preaching during Covid …

One of the few perks of Staying-At-Home during the pandemic has been the ability to attend a variety of churches Of course the attendance is virtual and on Zoom. With services being streamed at different times and in different time … Continue reading

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I just can’t …

I can’t stop thinking about the children.  And their parents.   Seeking asylum together in the United States.   Arriving at the border when immediately, suddenly, maliciously, and with devious intent,  children and parents are separated from each other.  This is happening … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Children, Families Belong Together, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Guns in Churches?

As to guns being our protection:  A church looks to God as our ultimate source of protection.   As to wearing a gun in church even as we are passing the peace with others in the pews: As a follower of Jesus – as a Christian — I am called to a standard of loving my neighbor – a definition of neighbor that includes even my enemies.  It will take my lifetime to meet that standard.  If you are a Christian, you join me in that lifetime of work.  If we believe – and we legislate – that we can only safely interact with other people if we arm ourselves against them, we will never get even get close to that standard. Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Christian, Concealed Carry Guns, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grief, gun safety, gun violence, Loss of Child, open carry guns, Pastoral Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Stay Woke …

My response to the Las Vegas shootings and how people of faith must respond to the issue of gun violence in our country.

Posted in Activism, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, gun safety, gun violence, open carry guns, Pastoral Ministry, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A pulpit response to Charlottesville …

If I’d had more time between Sunday morning and the horror of Saturday in Charlottesville, I would have said some hints differently.  Here is my effort, raw and unedited.  You can see my pain on my face.  I’m wearing my … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Charlottesville, Christian, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grief, gun violence, LGBTQ, Loss of Child, open carry guns, Racism, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Tears and lamenting. Laughter and celebration. All while wearing orange …

Early in the week when we were nervously checking the weather for God Before Guns’ 4th annual Walk & Rally, there was a 100% chance of rain for the duration of the event.  By Friday, there was not a cloud … Continue reading

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