Tragically, the end result of much of Christianity indicates that title is our goal. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s quote doesn’t stop there. But too often we do. And that hurts. Lots. Join me in praying for forgiveness. And let’s meet back here tomorrow.

Mary John Dye’s intro —- I have prayed fervently that our organized critics would focus on their opportunities instead of persistent criticism/undermining of the UMC. I will keep praying. Until that day, for the sake of people who unquestioningly believe whatever they say, I think speaking up against misrepresentation is important….and resourcing and helping each…

With gratitude to Scott Moon for pointing me to this from Kim Mitchell – – – If you begin to see certain articles that the United Methodist Church is no longer Wesleyan, I would ask you to follow the history coming out of our mother Church, the Methodist Church in Great Britain and into the…

Day Three with this line from our late friend Dietrich Bonhoeffer — “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” Scotty Smith, he of several other stories of mine from my sojourn among the Presbyterian Church in America as they were thrumping a doctoral degree outa me, is the one…

Bishop Frank Beard has issued the following pastoral letter to the Illinois Great Rivers Conference regarding General Conference 2020/2024: Friends, we are not where we were! The dust has not settled, but it is clear and obvious that the United Methodist Church has changed. Some would argue that it has changed for the better, and…

“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” The first handful of words in that stunning line from Dietrich Bonhoeffer brings up what in you? A handy checklist of things to Do and Don’t Do? Ray Hildebrand was a singer-songwriter-speaker-preacher-character who initially crossed my path in Colorado. I was there…

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, yes, THAT particular DB (look him up if you don’t know) — “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” Spend a moment with me in self-reflection, self inventory, self analysis, whatever you’d prefer to call it. Take another such moment. Is that statement of his True or…

While authorship seems uncertain, all else is clear —- Why I am United Methodist Because we see flowers where others see weeds. It’s all about grace and seeing people as children of God; it’s not about “us” and “them”, and a God that needs defending, but a world that needs to be loved. It is…

Well, yeah— The thief must stop stealing; instead, he should make an honest living by his own efforts. This way he will be able to share with those in need. (Ephesians 4:28) — that’s pretty clear. But the very next verse takes it way farther…or maybe closer — Let no harmful language come from your…

Jim Palmer says —- 11 things one could appreciate about Jesus, whatever you believe about God: Jesus…. both affirmed what was good, and vehemently condemned the abuses of his religious tradition. taught that love is and should be the ultimate fulfillment of all religious teaching. pointed out the hypocrisy of claiming to be a holy…