There is now a strong and perplexing dichotomy in American Christianity: the Social Justice Christian and the Libertarian Christian. Both have been formed and strengthened by the politics of the last 10 years. They are polars, they wage against each other, yet both ideologies base their belief in...

“That’s a curse word.” My Christian friend and junior high school classmate scolded me  for using the inappropriate word–schmuck.  I had assumed it was another way to say “jerk,” but my companion corrected me.  I waited for him to smile and add the punchline,...

My wife and I were enjoying dinner at a small family gathering in Ohio when the conversation brought me back to one in Korea. We’ve only been back for just over a month, so it doesn’t take much for my mind to wander over the Pacific. This memory was different, as it brought a new insight...

I could go to any church that claims faith in Christ, mention a need, and see the majority of the congregation come alive with a desire to meet it.  We are hungry to fulfill a desire, a desire I believe didn’t come of our own will.  We were meant to help. Unfortunately, most of my own problems amount...

The immortal words ring in my mind.  This may be surprising for some, but, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for” used to be offensive to me.  In my idealistic twenties I found it hard to imagine that a saintly figure like Bono – from one of the most influential bands in history –...

I bought this T-shirt and it’s been kind of an albatross to me. I love the shirt but it’s the attention it attracts that frustrates me. It’s a red T that says “2 Weeks” on the front in bold white letters. Every time I wear it someone, or many someones, ask me, “Hey, Brian, what’s in two...

The church I grew up at had a sister parish in Saint-Louis-de-Sud, Haiti. The church sent mission trips to Haiti twice a year. We would build schools, run electricity and hold medical clinics. From a young age, I was fascinated by the stories we heard from those returning from trips to Haiti. I repeatedly...

“Kim, I think I feel a lump,” Bjoern said as he felt our Rottweiler’s neck.  It was a snowy January afternoon in Indiana, and we were cozily hunkered down in front of the fireplace.  Cuddling with Brigitte, the dog, my husband had discovered the tumor that would steal her away from us that April,...

It seems like everyone I know has been to, or is going to, hear u2 live in October.  They’re out on the west coast doing a tour, and so Christians between 20 and 40 are making the pilgrimage. Before I continue, I’ll offer the caveat that I love u2.  I just returned from running stairs and Bono...

Let’s face it; unless you’re under the age of 10, soccer just isn’t that cool. Somewhere after that glorious period of mobbing the ball with nine of your friends through fields of dandelions while shrieking screams, the sport becomes drastically less cute and increasingly more boring for parents...