I think perhaps it’s because I’ve met many people who think this way for reai, but this line from Stephen Colbert’s recent speech at Princeton (done in character) made me want to spew milk out of my nose. Alas, I had no milk to spew. Colbert, inspiration for Ben & Jerry’s AmeriCone Dream, continued dousing…
Author: Wes Allen
Please, stop forwarding me!
I got another one of “those” forwards this morning. I keep telling people that I neither agree with, nor appreciate, them. What are “those” forwards? They usually take three forms: Fear-mongering racism Idolatrous confusion of the USA with Christianity. All of the above. The one I got this morning was particularly painful to read, and…
A Prayer of Thankfulness
I’ve been taking a break from my sociological reading in order to be nourished by a biography of John Newton. I say “nourished” because the more I read his story, the more I come to love this man of common dress and language – and yet a man whose heart was so transformed by Christ…
Throw rational thought to the wind…
OK, let’s all watch this video and remind ourselves that this is what Churches look like to folks when we start gunning for each other. It’s a classic example that when we’re “right” the “other” is “inadequate” and “wrong” and therefor doesn’t have to be treated with dignity and respect. Watch, and learn how not…
Language colors reality…
Today I was pondering a moment when a well-meaning member of Central proudly said to a group of visitor’s last summer, “I hired him!” The language fascinates me because this is, in fact, the way that a good number of folks look at their pastors – they were “hired” and therefor are “employees.” This particular…
We don’t do that any more
When you’ve been part of system where the default stance is to be in hostile conflict for a lengthy period of time, it tends to be bad for your soul. This is because the system sucks in you energy, hopes, and passion and gives back only bitterness, burnout, and anger. This is not a good…
