“First victory, then peace.” These were the words written on coins of first century Rome according to scholar Dr. John Dominic Crossan. The slogan does not epitomize “the evil of the Roman empire” with its stranglehold over conquered nations, including Israel. Instead, Crossan, in an
Quite often, when someone finds out exactly what it is that I believe as a Christian, the question that many of them (mostly those who seem to have some issues with the idea of Christianity or spirituality of any kind in general) is, “Why even
No compromise is a popular phrase in some Christian circles. The people that use this phrase usually mean that moral people should not rationalize around their principles to do what they want to do. Many times the same people use this phrase to justify shunning
101 Charlie Smith Drive. It’s a beautiful, sprawling ranch style home nestled among the back-roads of rural southeastern Georgia. Its 3,000 square feet of open space are inviting. Ghostly aromas of cookies, chicken dinners and midnight snacks still haunt the now still, vacant air of
A little more than a year ago I asked “Can I be in harmony being gay and married to a woman?” It was a tough question to answer. In the months that have passed, I told my ex-wife that I am gay. It hurt us
If we are created in his image then why then are we condemned? When I was 18-years-old, I accepted Jesus into my heart and life. God always made me feel loved and accepted by him, even when I decided the “straight life” wasn’t for me,
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If
Imagine a song with only one note, A rainbow with only one hue; A world where people all look the same, and everyone sounds alike too. Then look at the colors around you, thank God for each various shade; Tune in to the beautiful voices,
The letter looked innocent enough, sitting there in my mailbox. A simple white envelope, with the return address of my Episcopal parish stamped in the upper left corner, in incomplete ink. Probably a reminder that they wanted my annual pledge, I thought. Maybe I should
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen