Chili, cheese, sauerkraut and onion sauce covered a thick line of spicy brown mustard as it lay upon the steaming dirty-water hotdog nestled in a soft white bun. It was perfection. An ice cold orangeade drink in a tall Styrofoam cup only made it better. I take my hotdogs pretty seriously. As a true American, I understand that only the above condiments in any combination are appropriate for this classic source of sustenance. What could be more patriotic than a properly-dressed

“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind”. (Romans 14:5) Pope Francis, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, was the subject of a testy little blog today. Specifically, the author attacked the pope’s statement that science is consistent with the Genesis version of the creation. According to this Lutheran pastor, Francis’ statement proves that the pope is indeed the antichrist. T

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” Romans 14:1 Writing a faith-based blog, preaching in churches, writing an article for a magazine, maintaining social websites…. these all sound pretty important and prestigious, don’t they? I’m honored to think that people want to hear my opinions. They read what I write and hear what I say and take it all in. It’s pretty cool. Except that sometimes, I say something controversial. And then m

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. –Leviticus 19:34 The family lived in constant fear. They didn’t dare go out at night when roving gangs controlled the roads. Trips to the market by day were occasionally interrupted by the chaos of gunshots too close to ignore. Two members of their family had been killed in the past year. This was not

“But you have received the Holy Spirit and He lives within you, so you do not need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know and what He teaches is true, it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Jesus Christ.” 1 John 2:27 When I was visiting Spain last year, I had coffee with a local pastor who ironically hails from Guatemala. Somehow, the conversation turned to homosexuality and the church. It see