Christopher Hitchens died yesterday. He was a vocal atheist, taking on icons like Mother Theresa, debating religious leaders, and unflinching in his denouncements of religious faith as toxic superstition. His 2007 book was simply titled, “God Is Not Great.” Hitchens… Continue reading

Yesterday, I was looking over some notes I had made some 14 months ago about dreams I had for the ministries of the church which I serve a pastor. As I prayed for guidance and the direction of the Spirit… Continue reading

This CoffeeBreak starts ugly. The US government estimates that around 20,000 young women and girls are brought into our country every year to be used by men for sex! Authorities estimate that about 100,000 juveniles are involved in prostitution in… Continue reading

A recurrent Christmas puzzler for kids is how to get a gift for Dad. Dad generally has far more resources and supplies what he needs for himself. So, should buy him another shirt, a gadget for his car just to… Continue reading

“Toxic Charity” – what an idea! Robert Lupton, a man with four decades of experience in urban ministry, wrote a book that challenges our ideas of giving.  “Our self-centeredness contributes to the problem. We evaluate our giving,” Lupton argues, “by… Continue reading

“I am tired of being capable! I want to join the lackluster performers, underachievers, apathetic airheads, and halfwits. OK, I like being capable, but I could really use some help! I am tired of doing it all on my own!”… Continue reading

If you open our refrigerator somewhere in the middle of the week, you will find a dozen or so plastic containers that hold the remains of dinners of the previous days. Leftovers! Bev is convinced that the cornerstone of good… Continue reading

Jen Hatmaker, a blogger I recently discovered, coined the phrase I borrowed for my title. In a poignant, funny, and all too relatable essay she writes about her desire to create the perfect family as she works to integrate adopted… Continue reading

Are you feeling pain today? Is there some source of confusion, or disappointment, or personal failure that is creating an ache in your life? You’re not unique!  One of the side effects of the Christmas season of joy is the… Continue reading

Sasha and her Daddy approached me after church yesterday wondering where to leave several large bags of groceries gathered for our church’s pantry for those in need. It wasn’t until I got home from church that I started to think… Continue reading