By Andy Hale We’ve all seen those hilarious Joel Osteen memes. You and I both know that our eyes rolled when we saw yet another book from Pat Robertson. Yet another bewildering tweet from Franklin Graham has caused your blood to boil. And I have scratched my head for years as to why anyone would … Continue reading
In social circles, there are specific topics that many people try to avoid, such as politics and religion. Don’t get me wrong that doesn’t mean that people do not bring them up. That list gets even more expansive in the church, certainly avoiding partisan topics, doubt, mental health, suicide, heresy, and those very unpleasant verses … Continue reading
The world is becoming more pluralistic, and the freedom of religion for all is becoming a realistic practice within our communities. At the same time, the American religious landscape is seeing a zealous resurgence of Christian Nationalism. For many, the threat of religious intolerance increases. As we become more entrenched in our worldviews, we close … Continue reading
When my children were younger, I thoroughly enjoyed their age-appropriate puzzles. It was so easy to fit those pieces into the preexisting shape on the puzzle board. Now that they are getting older, we are attempting to tackle the 1,000 piece Star Wars puzzle sets. Occasionally, in the jumbled mess of a toddler’s playroom, you’d … Continue reading
By Andy Hale “Just one more story,” my kids often say to my wife and me at bedtime. So whether reading one of their favorite books, carving our way through the Harry Potter series, or improvising a funny story, we have always told stories at bedtime with our two daughters. Who doesn’t love a good … Continue reading
Our family was driving back from a fantastic road trip to Utah’s National Parks when I got a news alert from my phone. I waited to read it until we stopped for gas. From the time I received the notification to when I read it, things escalated to an unthinkable level. This was January 6; … Continue reading
What if, before you were born, your soul went through a rigorous vetting process to see if you are viable for human existence? What if your essence was given a litmus test on what it means to be alive and appreciate life in the moment? Would we pass the test? These are just some of … Continue reading
As a child, I feverishly read comic books. The Amazing Spider-man, X-Men, Batman, Green Arrow, and Daredevil were among my favorites. Of course, like every comic book nerd, I secretly wanted to be bit by a radioactive spider, have my skeleton replaced with adamantium, or have a tragic backstory that propelled me in fighting injustice. … Continue reading
I hold the Bible as a sacred authority that informs my faith and living. And I also recognize that the Bible contains many unfortunate misogynistic and patriarchal views that have defined the beliefs, religious practices, culture, and family practices of many. One does not have to look very far in our history as a Baptist … Continue reading
We live in a dog-eat-dog world. Everyone is fighting for a more significant piece of the pie, whether it is power, money, recognition, influence, or peach pie. To a certain extent, our drive to look out for our best interests is part of our evolutionary genetic makeup. I don’t think the human species would have … Continue reading
