Remember Jerry, it’s not a lie—if you believe it. – George Costanza They say that the truth hurts. I’m inclined to agree. When trying to reach another person across a

What Would Jesus Do? When I began my ministry career twenty years ago, this was the rallying cry of American Christian youth culture; embossed onto colorful rubber bracelets,  adorning t-shirts,

A gay friend of mine recently asked me for advice. (I’ll call him Todd.) Todd was getting ready to see some relatives who live across the country, and he knew what

Not only do the times change—the times change us. Every day we are gradually altered by the world; by what we see or experience, by the people we cross paths with,

Lately I find myself looking at Christians out there in the world, and more often than not wondering what on earth they think they’re doing: I see them badgering the

Horrible people reveal themselves in crisis. In the crucible of urgency they expose their own toxic hearts. Just moments after the deadly London terrorist attacks this past week, Donald Trump

Growing-up in the Church, I was taught that the worst thing one could be was a non-believer; that nothing was as tragic as a doomed soul that condemned itself by

These are difficult days for would-be world-savers. When you scan the morning horizon, the list of things to be burdened by seems to grow longer by the second, stretching far beyond what

Kathy Griffin made a huge mistake. She posed for a graphic photo session with a beheaded President Trump mannequin. It was vile. It was repulsive. It was misguided. It was

I remember the day after the Election, a friend of mine who happens to be white, remarked on social media that he “finally wasn’t embarrassed of America and our President.”

I woke up at 4AM, startled from sleep by the feeling that I needed to go check on my 11-year old son. He’d hit his head the previous afternoon and our

Can we talk for a few minutes, Trump supporter? We need to clear the air if we can. I imagine you probably feel like we’re the enemy right about now—those of

What kind of God kills children? What kind of God asks followers to kill children? What loving God requires blood? What being worthy of worship and adoration and obedience, is okay with

You’re LGBTQ—and I want you to know as a pastor that I don’t blame you. I don’t blame you for rejecting Christianity. I bet it all feels a lot like

There are no ordinary people walking the planet. Every human being, whether from close proximity or from a great distance—can have tremendous power in our lives: the power to speak words that

Every day I invariably end up in some form of the same conversation. I encounter a more conservative Christian, who takes issue with my stance on the Bible or sexuality or

Image: nydailynews.com It was early in 2016. The Republican politicians and the celebrity Evangelical preachers met with the devil in secret. The last 8 years had driven them to desperation.

Dear Friend, I don’t know you, but I know something about you: I know you’re tired. I know you live with demons, ones that are close and loud. I know

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” In 1871, Unitarian minister Theodore Parker first spoke these words in opposition to slavery here in America. In 1958

Image an alteration of original artwork for “Suicide Squad,” copyright DC Comics. Ivanka Trump is many things her father is not. She can appear dignified. Articulate. Intelligent. Empathetic. Well read.

Let’s be honest here: our President is not a well man. To most objective observers this isn’t really up for debate anymore. His frenetic impulsiveness, his propensity toward violent outbursts,

I came across a social media post this morning from a former church friend. He was (as usual) carrying on about the LGBTQ community, arguing with folks while sharing Scripture excerpts

Depression is a real bastard. If it’s ever visited you, you understand. Such a clever and persuasive liar, it doesn’t require facts to rob you of your hope. You may have all the

  White friend, we need to talk. Last year I joined millions of people in loudly declaring that Black Lives Matter. You replied that All Lives Matter. I tried to tell you