Steve’s Word

My theme verse for all forty-three years of my ministry as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is Philippians 1:3-6:

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your  sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion ...

Like many Christian pastors, ministers, bloggers, authors, podcasters, and congregants, I believe that the Church must be more courageous. Human rights and dignity are at stake. And the Church is not the building. The Church is the millions of Christians that make up the body of Christ. Yes, Christians are Republican, Democrat, and Independent in party affiliation. But the mark of a Christian is not a particular party platform. The mark of a Christian is the fruit of the Holy ...

Truth to Power-Part II

Timothy Snyder, the Richard C. Levin Professor of History and Global Affairs at Yale University, in a recent article titled, The Logic of Destruction writes, “What is a country? The way its people govern themselves. America exists because its people elect those who make and execute laws. The assumption of a democracy is that individuals have dignity and rights that they realize and protect by acting together.”

Our elected officials in Congress are not governing. Instead, they are ...

Truth to Power

Can we examine and assess the President’s Administration, members of Congress, and members of the Judicial Branch by using the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 25?

It is President Trump’s prerogative to do the things he promised to do. But the question is “how”? Are members of Congress leading out of loyalty to the President or integrity? And are Justices leading by the Rule of Law and the Constitution?

Jesus, the Son of God took a different approach than ...

MLK Holiday. Inauguration Day: the Second Day After

My thoughts continue: Both parties from the White House have issued Executive Orders. I do not know if any received unanimous or even majority bipartisan affirmation. I still am posing the question, “What is happening in America?” On the MLK Holiday, the Inauguration, and the days  following, Civil Rights took a big hit. Genders were defined only as male and female. The Justice Department has been tasked with investigating and enforcing particular Executive ...