Pilgrim or a tourist? Two different ways of visiting an unfamiliar place or a different way of life. Both have their place. The pilgrim has a different task. Two ways of living a life, two different ways of seeing others. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2103902/12361125 Continue reading New Podcast “A Pilgrim and a Stranger”
President Zelensky tonight delivered a stunning and inspirational speech to a joint session of Congress. After too long a time of bickering and arguing in our public life, we were treated to a moment of moral clarity, born in atrocities against a suffering people. He raised our vision to see that it is not only for Ukraine but the world itself that democracy and freedom must prevail. This includes the Russian people themselves, captive to the delusions of a single tyrant. For just the briefest moment, the room was together and the finest instincts of the American resolve stirred in … Continue reading A Call from Ukraine
Friends, I have voted. It is a precious opportunity we never miss. And tomorrow, I want you all to know that I will STILL be your neighbor and fellow countryman. I will still do all in my might for good. Vickie and I watched Henry Louis Gates’ series “Finding Your Roots” recently. In 2021 he did a show for singer and music producer Pharrell Williams. As he discovered the pain of his slavery past he was emotionally overwhelmed. Then he said something that knocked me over. “I love America. I just want America to love me back.” That was a … Continue reading Life After Elections
Recently, I was asked to give remarks at a retirement dinner for Frances Ford of Perry County, an extraordinary person whose passion to rebuild healthcare in Perry County has inspired thousands of people from around the nation who came to help. In 2016, Frances was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame. Permit me to quote that article: Citing her faith in God and the influence of her parents, Ford said she is guided by the principles of “giving back, helping others, and [showing] the love of Christ”. Throughout her career, Ford has followed a deep calling to make … Continue reading The Difference One Life Makes
For over thirty years, I have been part of an extraordinary community of theological friends. In our careers we were pastors, missionaries, seminary and college professors, and a university president. All of us were productive writers and thinkers and published individually a great deal over the years. We began coming together during the time that the Southern Baptist Convention was imploding over politics and theological disagreement in the 1980s. It was formed with three members and they soon began to invite the rest of us to join . This group became a wonderful place of freedom and fellowship. We found … Continue reading Writing Together
The Flatpickin' Pilgrim's Progress 