Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·PinnedShould Local Schools Be Surprised That Parents Want Clarity?Educational ideology should be explicit, not unspoken — I am picking up hints that people are annoyed at parents for desiring clarity about what their kids are taught at schools. I’ve seen it in comments from school leaders, school board members, politicians, and citizens on social media. Don’t get me wrong. I have zero tolerance for parents acting…Education12 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·PinnedThe Ideological Battle for American SchoolsHow do we occupy shared spaces without a common vision? — America’s culture wars are intensifying in the nation’s classrooms and board meetings. How long can this public institution withstand the tug-of-war between ideologically opposed groups? Public school board meetings across the country appear to be the hottest ticket in town with multiple hours needed to accommodate public comment. Attend one…Education11 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·Feb 11Sorry. I’m Not Canceling My Neighbor.I am standing my ground on this one — The new world demands a purist kind of devotion. You are with us or against us. This is not a world of both/and, but is one where either/or reigns supreme. You are for X or against X. There is little patience for nuance, further research, dialogue, or uncertainty. …Relationships5 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Dec 24, 2021Three Lonely Lies That Are Destroying UsA battle is raging for your heart — Loneliness is a bigger problem than most of us want to admit. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently issued a warning about the mental health of our nation’s youth. …Loneliness9 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·Oct 9, 2021Who Will Save Us from Ourselves?The FBI’s 2020 crime report tells an alarming story about us — The FBI released its 2020 crime statistics recently. Take a look at the drastic increase in homicide.FBI4 min read
Published in Koinonia·Sep 24, 2021When Comfy Rhythms Get DisruptedEmbracing the new work God is doing in the midst of COVID-19 — “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:22, NIV). The world as we have known it for the last 18 months has been…Christianity6 min read
Published in Koinonia·Aug 14, 2021The Statistical Improbability of YouCelebrating the Divine providence of marital love — I had the honor yesterday of officiating the marriage of a young couple. Each one of these special occasions is brimming over with excitement, anxious tension, and joy. The big day has finally arrived. Months of preparation have come to glorious fruition. My counsel to the groom and bride, well…Relationships6 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Aug 10, 20219 Proven Strategies for Breaking Through to Common GroundHow police chiefs and Black community leaders overcame years of antagonism in York, PA — In the summer of 2016, I sat strategizing with a small group of Black ministers about how to find a common ground breakthrough between police and the Black community in York, PA. Our local community, less than an hour north of Baltimore, MD, was boiling over with agitation over the…Racial Justice12 min read
Published in Koinonia·Aug 7, 2021God Loves Your Neighbors More Than You DoThe Gospel According to Jonah: three sermon or Bible study ideas that highlight God’s radical love for our neighbors — The Old Testament book of Jonah is one of the clearest expressions of God’s love for humanity. …Christianity7 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Jul 30, 2021How to Prepare Our Kids for the Massive Tech Shift UnderwayThree trends dramatically reshaping their future — As a Dad invested in the future well-being of my six kids, I confess that I am struggling to keep up with the blistering pace of technological advancement. This sentiment represents a humble admission for a guy who considers himself an early adopter of new technologies. I grew up playing…Advice8 min read
