I just read a news story praising a Nashville-based literary agency that represents “top progressive Christian authors.” It stated that many of the authors have been influenced by Phyllis Tickle, who penned, The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why. Such…
Does Jesus Want Us Out of the Church?
Total Consecration to Mary: “A Challenge We’re Up For”
While Fr. Joshua Waltz prepared his homily for the All Saint’s Day Mass at St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck, he recalled a phone call from his brother Fr. Justin. “Don’t forget, if you plan to make the Total…
Confessions of a Former Tabloid Writer
What do O.J. Simpson, the Bachelorette, Charlie Sheen, and Angeline Jolie all have in common? The tabloids love them. On the way to the grocery store checkout, one cannot help but notice headlines flashing the latest scandals. If the high…
Art for the Soul
As a young girl, Nellie Edwards dreamed of becoming a fine art painter. Off and on, throughout her life, she tried to paint. “Every attempt was pretty pathetic,” she said. “I thought that maybe someday I would take lessons.” At…
The Last Best New Year’s Resolution
I suggest making one last resolution for the New Year: stop making them. Within the first month, most people have broken their resolutions anyways. Ask any health club manager about the January spike that levels out by February. You don’t…
What About Those Apparitions?
Trudging along two miles of country road in Kettle River, Minnesota, I shifted the back carrier that held my three-year-old son. I was joined by 3,500 other pilgrims who had congregated to see if the Virgin Mary would appear as…
On Emperors and Beanie Babies
Almost everyone knows of the fabled emperor that paraded the streets in his undergarments, believing he was adorned in the finest of cloth that only the foolish could not see. Lest he admit being a fool, he feigned witnessing the…
Confession: A Gift That’s Always in Season
People once lined up for “Cabbage Patch” dolls and “Tickle Me Elmos” before Christmas. I haven’t a clue what the gotta-have-it Christmas item will be this year, but there’s always a line forming somewhere for that special something. That’s exactly…
Envy, the No-win Sin
Let’s play the “What if…” game. What if you just lost your job while your co-worker received a promotion and a big raise? Would you be happy for him? What if a parent that was often critical of your children…
Peace on Earth Requires Peace on Our Hearts
Why is it that the smallest inconvenience can set some people off while others maintain calm in the face of great adversity? What is the difference between those who know peace on earth and those who don’t? It is in…