Over the past year, “safe zone” has made its way into the English vocabulary. College campuses have carved out physical safe zones where marginalized individuals are included. Some of these spaces are lifestyle- or worldview-specific, including only those who are, for example, homosexual or feminist. Dissenting voices are forbidden. Many Christians treat the...

  With the election of the first lesbian bishop in the United Methodist Church, a few people have asked me, “What are you going to do?” My answer has always been the same: “I am going to continue doing what God has called me to do.” It’s really as simple...

  I’m weary. I bet you are, too. Weary of the gun violence and terrorist attacks across our planet. In the past few weeks, Orlando, Bangladesh, Istanbul, Baghdad and Medina have been torn apart with bloodshed. Hundreds killed, scores wounded, lives of surviving friends and family shattered. This will not be a partisan...

  This weekend, we Americans are celebrating our 240th year of existence. Most of us will enjoy barbecues and fireworks, while others, undoubtedly, will lob cherry bombs of criticism. We have our share of sins and shortcomings, that’s for sure. America has always had its transgressions — and always will. But, during this Independence Day...

  My wife and I have decided that we have too much house. Funny thing, too much house usually means too much stuff. Over the last couple of weeks, we have gotten rid of books, clothing, knick-knacks and a set of china we don’t use anymore. And there’s still stuff everywhere, hiding...

  Brock Turner, do you feel anything yet? Witch Melanie Hexan and 12 of her coven sisters hope he does. On Tuesday, they held a Facebook event that put a hex on Turner, the Stanford University swimmer who was recently sentenced to six months for sexual assault. The curse, which...

  I was recuperating from major surgery when I heard about the kid sneaking into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. My kneejerk reaction was disgust toward a negligent parent, until I remembered the time my wife and I lost our firstborn son at a clothing store in the mall. For several minutes,...

    Here in Texas, we love our barbecue. We’ll get into arguments with folks from the Deep South about the glories of brisket over pulled pig with vinegar sauce. It’s fightin’ words around here if you tell us that slow-smoked beef isn’t true barbecue. According to this website, “the Lone Star State...

  Pentecost is the red-headed stepchild of Christian observances. Think about it: we get prepped up for Lent and Advent, buying devotional books and planning our spiritual disciplines. At Easter and Christmas, we deck ourselves out in holiday finery, sing triumphant hymns and prepare big family meals. Pentecost? The preacher wears a...

  Today is “World Naked Gardening Day.” I kid you not. It is a day whose proponents invite people “to tend their portion of the world’s garden unclothed as nature intended.” I enjoy being naked in the shower, but I ‘m  pretty sure I don’t want to tend my daisies as bees buzz around...