Several conversations lately have left me staggering to make sense out of how we assign blame to people who are suffering. The first came as we were discussing the plight of minimum wage workers and the current debate about raising the federal minimum wage. In the midst of the conversation the subject of the woman... Continue Reading →
An Open Letter to the Youth of the Greater Fairmont Area
The young people in the community I serve are currently reeling from the unexpected and tragic death of one of their own. I didn't know the young man, Devante Waites, and I don't even know the full circumstances of his death other than it was a senseless tragedy. Apparently, the violence he was trying to... Continue Reading →
Specks and Logs and Blinders
"Jane" had just learned that her niece, "Leslie", had begun living with her long-time boyfriend. Leslie, knowing her Aunt Janie would take offense to her decision, had debated long and hard about whether or not she should tell her about the decision they had made. Ultimately, Leslie decided honesty was the most important component of... Continue Reading →
Licking Wounds in Public Places
He overheard me as I made a telephone call. I was at my favorite table at Barnes & Noble, having a piece of spinach and artichoke Quiche for lunch and making a couple of phone calls to help an individual in need get enough food to make it to the end of the month. He... Continue Reading →
I Don’t Blame You (For Not Wanting To Go To Church)
Dear "Unchurched" Friends, I don't blame you. I don't blame you at all for not wanting to go to church. In fact, there are times when I think that if the circumstances of my life had been different--if I didn't have a calling to the ministry, if I hadn't been raised in a strong church-going... Continue Reading →
Think and Let Think
"We believe Christ to be the eternal, supreme God...but as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think." ~ John Wesley, On The Character of a Methodist This has long been one of my favorite quotes from John Wesley. Even as a youth, years before I... Continue Reading →
Judas and the Suicide Quagmire
Let me begin by saying that if you are struggling with depression and/or suicidal thoughts, get up right now and get help. Don't wait. Don't assume you can handle it on your own. And don't let anyone give you that "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" malarkey. Find a therapist. And if you are contemplating... Continue Reading →
An Open Letter to my Childhood Bully
"Jay" (that's what I'll call you)--we grew up together. We lived in the same neighborhood. Our mothers had also been school mates growing up in this same neighborhood together. You would think we'd have gotten along a bit better. But for the most part we just seemed oblivious of each other. We were often in the... Continue Reading →
Flawed Humans, or Hypocrites?
A few days ago, I stumbled across a news article posted to Facebook. The horrific picture of a badly beaten woman had jarred my sense of human decency. As I read the article, trying to understand what had happened to her, I found myself delving into a world of judgment and assumption. The story went something... Continue Reading →
When the Tears of a Child Bode Well For Our Future
Wow! There is more good news about young people thanks to reports from CBS News and The Huffington Post (click here for the story and video)! Here is the breakdown: The students at Olivet Middle School in Olivet, Michigan have a special young man on their team named Keith Orr. Keith is learning disabled and... Continue Reading →
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