The pleasures of routine—even in prayer
There can be a lot of “should” in the spiritual life—I should pray more, go back to in-person worship, read the Bible more. What it would be like to make pleasure rather than duty one of the motives for spiritual practice? What spiritual activities do you enjoy, and can you do more of them? Can you make a routine of them?
Halting climate change—What faith communities can do
The right and the left are currently battling it out over cultural issues and are distracted from the most pressing issue of our era, the climate crisis.
Divided we stand
What if unity in the midst of a broken and fractured Christendom looks not like remaining a part of the same church gathering but rather continuing to engage in relationship—continuing to love—those people with whom you disagree?
American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh: it’s legacy after 30 years
The American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh lawsuit that reached a settlement in 1991 resulting in NACARA provided a measure of justice that allowed hundreds of thousands of people like Luis Marcos to have their cases heard. Luis was granted asylum and later received full U.S. citizenship. His story is but one example of how American Baptists fight for justice and extend mercy, because of our faith.
Books to survive a pandemic (and after)
Books have been wonderful companions through these isolating months. Here are some books I have found to be particularly helpful in the last uncertain year.