In certain circles a big fuss is made about the relationship between parents and their children, and rightfully so. Although at times in what I have found to be a cursory way, even in our purportedly postmodern society, we are all too familiar with the biblical imperative of honoring one's...

For a long time now I have deliberated if perchance God is a minimalist, a proponent of the principles of minimalism entrenched in simplicity. Like any other, the concept is taken in different directions by people, but nevertheless in broad terms it is a proactive, provocative clarion call back to...

With their coffee and pastry offerings, and complimentary Wi-Fi, today's newfangled bookstores don't impress me. Their inventories are often too thin for my tastes, full mostly of bestselling works in popular genres that are cookie-cutter commentaries on life. No, I am a diehard supporter of libraries, with an understandable bias...

"You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." Recounted in Mark 7:8, these are the prophet Isaiah's words, which Jesus repeated to the Pharisees as they challenged him over ceremonial law. Christianity has always been a faith of both freedom...

This letter is part of our "Letters to Our Ancestors" project. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, we've asked members of our community to share their own letters to our forefathers. With these letters, we hope to look back on the progress our community has made...

Church can be awfully intimidating and frustrating, easily more insane asylum than peaceful, grace-filled space of redemptive conversion. For all of the good that it represents -- and to be clear, there is a lot -- church is not devoid of scandal, evil and hurt. Far too often it embodies...

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a minimalist, an unapologetic proponent of order who despises clutter with a vengeance. Of course though, I am not dogmatic about it. You won't find me in a deep depression or frozen with frustration upon encountering disorganization, hiding in the corner...

In the song "Up All Night," which features his friend Nicki Minaj, popular hip-hop artist Drake said this: "I prefer the better things. / People with no money act like money isn't everything. / I'm having a good time. / They just trying to ruin it. / Shout out to...

Outside of the shower, whatever vocal ability that I dream to possess fades drastically, so I am careful to keep my illusions of grandeur there. I am fine with preaching, "spoken word" poetry, and other individualized public presentations, but singing is another story altogether. There are countless soloists and choir...

Weddings are overrated. Okay, well, not really, but you know what I mean. The way in which many people these days enter into marriage, through the wedding ceremony's excessive glitz and glamour is nauseating. Please, don't call me to officiate your wedding, if this is the sort of thing that...

"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." We know this to be the famously repeated adage of his momma from Tom Hank's endearing character in the 1994 film Forrest Gump. She was right, you know? Life presents us with an assortment of challenges...