Above image: A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965), from the 1961 movie ————————- The 1959 Broadway play “A Raisin in the Sun” tells the story of a black family in Harlem. They never had much money and saw little chance of escaping their poverty. Then the father died and the […]
3146) “There is Always Something Left to Love” Read More »
Part three of a sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.: (…continued) Abraham Lincoln tried such love, and left for all history, a magnificent drama of reconciliation. When he was campaigning for the presidency, one of his arch-enemies was a man named Edwin Stanton. Stanton hated Lincoln. He used every ounce of his energy
3130) Loving Your Enemies (3/3) Read More »
Part two of a sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.: (…continued) The meaning of love is not to be confused with empty emotional outpouring. Love is something much deeper than cheap sentimentality. Perhaps the Greek language can clear our confusion at this point. In the Greek New Testament are three words for love.
3129) Loving Your Enemies (2/3) Read More »
Our nation has been deeply divided these past decades, and each year this division grows deeper and more hateful. Many people see those on the other side of our great political divide as their enemies. On this weekend that we honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) we would do well to pay attention
3128) Loving Your Enemies (1/3) Read More »
(continued…) When I was a child, it never would have occurred to me to be afraid of God. After all, every week at Sunday School in the old church basement we sang “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” But the more I have seen of the world and
3104) God’s Christmas Surprise for Us (2/2) Read More »
Above left: Clarence Oddbody, George Bailey’s guardian angel ————————– In Luke 1:26-38 an angel of the Lord appeared to Mary to tell her that she, a virgin, would be giving birth to Jesus, the Son of God, whose ‘kingdom will never end.’ In verse thirty, the angel says to Mary,
3103) God’s Christmas Surprise for Us (1/2) Read More »
A Canadian girl’s simple, poignant plea to her fighting parents is resonating with millions of people online. Six-year-old Tiana lives in Surrey, British Columbia. Last week, the first-grader overheard a disagreement between her parents, and pulled her mom aside for a chat. “I want you and my dad to be settled
3068) A Child’s Plea for a Peaceful Home Read More »
I am on the conservative side of our great political divide. I hope I do not lose any friends or readers because of that. You would not cease to be my friend if you told me you were on the other side. Approximately half of my fellow Americans are on the other side,
3019) Love Your Enemies Read More »
Image above: Full-page ad encouraging membership in the White Citizens’ Council, from The Selma Times-Journal, June 9,1963. ****************************** Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon, in Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony, 1989, pages 110-111. ———————————– An old pastor was serving in a small Southern town in the throes of the 1950’s school desegregation
3016) “I Am Ashamed of You” Read More »
One afternoon, according to an old Sufi (Muslim) tale, Nasruddin and his friend were sitting in a cafe, drinking tea, and talking about life and love. ”How come you never got married, Nasruddin?” asked his friend at one point. ”Well,” Nasruddin said, “to tell you the truth, I spent
3002) “She’s Perfect, But…” Read More »
