Navigating the Complexities of Life in a Rapidly Shifting Culture
Growing up we had a pond in our backyard. Ponds are enchanting when you are a young boy —especially at the start of the Northeastern winter. A boy’s courage ascends with each step across the ice-covered water — standing on the deep testifies to a young boy’s bravery. Yet the sound of cracking quickly reveals …
Continue reading “Wars and Rumors of Wars: Cultivating Courageous Habits”
New York seeks a world in which all of us have the best death possible, consistent with our own wishes and values.[1] Medical aid in dying is commensurate with the Family Physician’s desire to empower our patients not only in their pursuit of wellness, their management of chronic disease, but also the alleviation of suffering …
On December 15, I will step down as Lead Pastor of Restoration Church. After a long season of prayer, counsel, and reflection, my wife and I came to understand that we had completed our assignment leading Restoration Church. Following our December 15 worship gathering, Gina and I will begin a new chapter in Southwest Florida, …
Election season is challenging —especially in a polarized culture. Among the many election season challenges is the reality that we are faced with flawed candidates. Candidates are sinners; therefore, the flaws in both may cause some Christian voters to feel uneasy about engaging in our political process. Nevertheless, voting is a significant instrument allowing Christians …
Well, it happened. On Saturday, July 13th, the world watched as a would-be assassin attempted to kill President Donald Trump. Sadly, an innocent rally attendee lost his life while a stunned nation asked, “How did we get here?” Currently, the shooter’s motives are unclear, but it seems this was an act of political violence. Political …
Conflict is the spirit of our age. It fills our news feeds while emptying our souls. Conflict is a leading contributor to mental and emotional stress, which often leads to decreased physical health. According to a study by Nunzia Nappo, there is a strong correlation between interpersonal conflict, employee burnout, and worker retention rates. It’s …
Continue reading “Chaotic or Creative? How to Have Better Conflict”
Deception is costly. CEOs go to jail if they cook the books. Physicians are sued if they intentionally withhold medical information. Employees are fired if they lie on a résumé. Students are expelled if they plagiarize. Deception is costly not only relationally but financially. We expect truth from our neighbors, but our economic system depends …
The call came just before 1 am. “Mr. Trippie, your father stopped breathing. He was without oxygen for 7 minutes. We were able to revive his heart, but he could not breathe on his own —we have him on a ventilator —get here as soon as possible.” Ethics seems like an abstract philosophical category until …
I visited the mall Christmas week. There is so much inspiration to be found in the mall’s messages. A banner gracefully hung from the rafters declared, “Refresh your wardrobe,” subtly nudging patrons to consider how outdated and frumpy they are. Another marquee boldly declared, “Treat yourself, you’re worth it,” implying that “self-indulgence is a virtue, …
Continue reading “An Encouraging New Year’s Message from the Mall”
(first published in Christian Post) “Pastor . . . don’t get political!” “Politics have no place in the church.” “Jesus never talked politics.” “What about the separation of church and state?” On the surface, church and politics don’t mix. But do they? First, I understand the concerns about the church aligning herself too closely …
I don’t log in to Twitter very often. Much of the content is discouraging and does not bring joy to my heart. But regrettably, I decided to check in the other day. It only took two quick scrolls before I was reminded why I limit my engagement. The tweet that made me cringe was not …
Nefariousness, narcissism, or both? The FBI still does not know precisely what motivated Jack Teixeira to betray his oath of office and his nation. But the 21-year-old has placed U.S. national security and our allies in a vulnerable position. Teixeira’s leaks jeopardized human assets, exposed sensitive intel-gathering methods, and undermined U.S. trust among allies. Foolhardy …
This article first appeared in The Fulcrum In Buffalo, New York, we know the trauma of social breakdown and tragedy firsthand, but we also know the healing that happens when neighbors come together across their differences. Over the course of this past year, we have suffered an extreme blizzard with devastating loss of life; the …
Continue reading “Evangelicals, it’s time for dialogue – ‘The Christian way’”
On November 24, I ran in the Buffalo Turkey Trot. I have never run this race before, so I didn’t know what to expect – but I learned nothing reflects Buffalo’s unique character like the Turkey Trot. An array of personalities set out for a 5-mile run dressed in costumes reflecting our city’s diversity and …
The legs of Western relativism have been wobbly for a while. And now Vladimir Putin’s war may deliver a knock-out blow. While some Western intellectuals cling to a “your truth and my truth” philosophy, the invasion of Ukraine is revealing the absurdity of such thought. Evil has a way of waking us up to …
What We Don’t Understand About Putin and his church The secular west does not understand religion. Not only do we not understand religion, but we also do not have a language to articulate religious matters very well. Therefore, when we encounter deeply theological matters, we do not have a vocabulary to communicate what we see …
Continue reading “What We Don’t Understand About Putin and his church”
Did you really expect mass vaccinations? Are you shocked that many people are hesitant, if not dogmatic, in their opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine? I received the vaccination as soon as I was eligible, and I strongly encourage others to do the same. But should we be surprised that many would resist? And why are …
Continue reading “Mandates, Manipulation, and Mayhem: What did you expect?”
God filled his creation with duality–black and white, day and night, spirit and flesh. Duality provides texture to the world and without contrast, we have no beauty. Duality serves to reveal the complexity of a mysterious and wonderful God. Duality also marks God’s governance in the world. In the United States, we see this duality …
The right to vote is a significant privilege. When people cast ballots, they are doing more than merely making an abstract opinion known—citizens who vote promote overall human dignity. Evangelicals believe that all humans bear the image of God. As image bearers of God, all humans are endowed with the faculty of choice. Voting gives …
Covid-19 is unearthing the best and worst in people. I am encouraged to see neighbors caring for neighbors. I am inspired when businesses donate medical supplies and services. I can’t help but feel nostalgic when I see families working on jig-saw puzzles and playing board games. Covid-19 is revealing our humanity. And yet I …
Once upon a time, religious liberty was a virtue championed by most. Americans believed that tolerance strengthened the bonds of society and united us around a shared vision. Our nation treasured the right of religious choice because it empowered the vision of E Pluribus Unum. Religious liberty ensured that citizens with diverse backgrounds and ideas …
The cultural landscape has changed in America. Our nation is quickly losing the principles that once bound us together. Institutions that once offered a vision of stability are eroding. And public figures that once engaged our imaginations have lost credibility. Consequently, our culture is collapsing under the weight of distrust and the lack of a …
Another mass shooting — our hearts sink — our anger rises. As a nation, we mourn the loss of life, and we grieve the loss of innocence. We are outraged at what we have become, and fear what we are becoming. Another boy not even old enough to rent a car becomes an active shooter. …
Recently, a local municipality banned dogs from all public events and festivals.[1] The city cited numerous complaints from small businesses that dog owners repeatedly allowed their pets to urinate and defecate on vending stands. City officials argued that the lack of canine supervision created a public health hazard and disrespected the private property of business …
6 Things You Need to Know About Marriage A mentor once told us that in life, “There are things that you know, things that you don’t know, and there are things that you don’t know that you don’t know.” Twenty-five years of marriage has proven this adage to be true. When we entered the …
Continue reading “Six Things You Need to Know About Marriage”
The plate is full, but the utensils do not move––nothing moves––time stands still and the showdown begins. If you have raised a child, then you know the drill. The dinner protest: arms folded, stiff upper lip and the stony stare––they are dug in. There is no more reasoning once the child has moved from listening …
Marriage is hard. Don’t get me wrong; singleness is also hard. When we are single, we must learn how to battle our flesh, fight loneliness, and manage the discomfort of feeling out of place in certain situations––singleness is hard. But marriage is also hard but for different reasons. Marriage requires that we learn to live …
Americans are living in remarkable times. Every day it seems tectonic shifts are occurring in our culture. Our society seems to redefine cultural norms with every news cycle. And these new norms are not isolated to one specific segment of society. Americans all seem to be experiencing a sense of fear and confusion as we …
Social media is a relatively new phenomenon, and there are still a lot of unknowns about its long-term effects on society. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat have only been in existence for a decade or less, and with every technical advance, there comes unforeseen advantages and disadvantages. Social media is a benefit to the common …
God’s will is a concept that is confused in our finite minds. Sincere Christians genuinely want to obey God and follow his path, but often they find themselves perplexed. Should I move to a new city or stay put? Is this job the right job or am I to do something else? How can I …
