​Sodom and the sin of the Church​

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Is the church and America guilty of the sin of Sodom?

Wow! What a provocative question. Given the political culture in the USA right now, the mind automatically goes to issues like same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights. But that isn’t what I mean. Culturally, the church has latched onto what it finds....

​Why does American Christianity look more like Babel than Pentecost?​

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“If religion is messy, we are a nation of slobs.” So writes Liz Bucar in the introduction to her book, Stealing My Religion. This thought gives me pause as I reflect on the current state of disarray in which we find ourselves here in the United States. American Christianity is a hot mess of confusion and murkiness....

​Illuminating Pedophilia: A social worker’s perspective ahead of the Epstein disclosures​

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The Epstein files are scheduled to be released soon. It was reported earlier in the year that Kash Patel had dispatched hundreds of federal agents to examine them in an effort to minimize the reportedly hundreds of times President Trump’s name was mentioned. Just how heavily redacted any released files will be is an open question. Without regard...

​Thanksgiving when you aren’t feeling thankful​

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Yesterday, our Pastor preached a Thanksgiving message that relied heavily on the nostalgia of family holidays. I can certainly relate to that.

As a child, holidays were a wonderful time. I remember Thanksgiving as a day spent happily with family and with a lot of food and discussion. By the time I reached....

​This Is How We Pray Today​

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The poem, some say, has been given to us for times when prose cannot express the heart. It’s an art form that has been used to elevate, to devastate, and to strike a mood. It can be silly and sweet, and it can be a knife. The form of the poem is so powerful that the Bible’s collection of poetry, the psalter, is the major liturgical...

​The Holiday Season: The Story That Still Speaks​

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The holiday season is here, and with it comes that familiar mix of nostalgia and noise. The lights appear in windows, the temperature drops, and suddenly the world feels both tender and frantic. People hold doors for strangers, volunteer at food drives, and share kindness in ways they forget the rest of the year. But the season also brings short tempers, restless shoppers, and entire aisles of folks who seem to have forgotten how to speak to one another with a bit of humanity. The holidays reveal our contradictions.....

​Gun Violence: Perfect love drives out fear​

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We are all weary of the gun control discussions. This essay was first published after a school shooting that was the 40th school shooting of that year and the 26th mass shooting of that year. In response to that shooting, my wife....

​What is Unitarianism?​

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Unitarian Universalists, often associated with the Unitarian church, are part of a growing religious movement worldwide. This liberal religion emphasizes inclusive and progressive values. So, what exactly is Unitarianism?

Unitarianism rejects the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, including the deity of Christ...

​What is Mormonism?​

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Mormonism, known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), is a religious movement that originated in the early nineteenth century. Founded by Joseph Smith, this faith emerged during a time of intense religious fervor and social change in America. Joseph Smith began with only a handful of followers in the state of New York. This started a movement....

​Comforting Prayers for After the Loss of a Mother​

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Losing a mother is one of life’s most painful events, leaving a grieving heart in deep sorrow. During this difficult time, it can be hard to find the right words to offer comfort or express our pain. The love of a mother is irreplaceable, and her loss leaves family members and friends with heavy hearts. Whether the loss was sudden or expected, the pain of loss....

​Best Christian Colleges & Universities in North Carolina​

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The top Christian colleges in North Carolina offer a rich blend of academic programs and Christ-centered education, preparing undergraduate students and those in graduate programs for service, leadership, and Christian faith. From respected liberal arts colleges and Bible colleges to dynamic Christian universities, these Christian schools rank among....

​Best Lutheran Christian Colleges & Universities​

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The best Lutheran universities and colleges in the United States offer a rich combination of academic excellence, strong religious affiliation, and vibrant campus life. These top-ranked institutions provide a Christ-centered education that fosters both intellectual development....

​31 Powerful Bible Verses to Comfort a Grieving Mother​

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The loss of a child is an indescribably painful experience, plunging mothers into a profound journey of grief. During these difficult times, the Bible offers solace, presenting a collection of verses that affirm God’s comforting presence and boundless mercy. These scriptures serve as a source of strength and hope, promising that even in the shadow of death, the love and peace of God....

​What is a prayer for healing?​

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The beauty of prayer, woven by faith, hope, and trust, is universally acknowledged among Christians today. They utter silent pleas to our Heavenly Father or boldly proclaim gratitude to Dear God for life’s blessings, transcending denominational affiliations. A healing....