Featured Columns

I remember throwing the book across the room. It was my final year in graduate school, and I picked a major paper topic over a controversial writer who was well-known for causing controversy. He was brilliant, but he wrote in an aggressive way that challenged most readers, especially those from my background, in many ways.

By Charles Christian Best-selling Christian author Phillip Yancey wrote that although he loves cards depicting the manger scene, he feels they give us the truest picture of Christmas. The events leading up to the birth of Jesus were not quiet, serene or even orderly, according to the portrayal in the Gospels. Mary and her husband,

By Charles Christian There’s something powerful about music. It’s not just the fact that it is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. Nor is it that hundreds of millions of people in the world at some point in their lives have played or tried to play a musical instrument. Music has a kind of power. Many

By Charles Christian I remember the sight of my then-3-year-old son standing outside of his birthday party venue. We were there early to set up, but he didn’t realize that. So, as we were finishing the early setup, getting ready to go back home and come back later for the party, he looked sadly out

By Charles Christian We are in a fast-moving, fast-paced world. We have access to information literally at our fingertips. We have multiple calendars that map out our weeks and remind us of our deadlines. Whether we are in bumper-to-bumper traffic or sitting still at our desks, we consistently have the feeling that we’re “on the

By Charles Christian The little boy kept erasing and erasing his math homework. He broke his pencil lead and had to resharpen it. Then he nearly tore his eraser off his pencil as he struggled with several of the problems in front of him. His mother came in and saw his consternation. She also saw

By Charles Christian Studies show a strong link between thankfulness and happiness. Researchers say that when we express gratitude or even concentrate on things we are thankful for, the brain releases neurotransmitters that evoke happiness or joy. It seems no coincidence that the Bible consistently reminds us to give thanks and be thankful. For instance,

By Charles Christian A short-lived 1980s television comedy series called “Square Pegs” followed a group of high school students from a variety of backgrounds trying to fit in. Predictably, as is true in many real-life high school situations, they always come up a bit short when it comes to fitting in or “feeling normal.” Somehow,

By Charles Christian While we have all seen the “Welcome” signs in various states, I have also run across the “Now Leaving” signs: “You are now leaving California,” etc. Of course, these signs give away to pranks like one I recently saw online: “You are now leaving New York … Last person out, please turn

By Charles Christian A not-so-closely-guarded secret among musicians is that most prefer sad songs. They play fast, “happy” songs to keep crowds motivated and interested. However, many will admit they learn the upbeat songs so they can have an audience to play the slower, sad ones. This is not because musicians are depressed people as

By Charles Christian As a United Methodist minister, I tend to take seriously admonitions by the denomination’s founder, John Wesley (1703-1791). He and his brother Charles, a prominent hymn writer, helped start the movement we currently know as Methodism. In 18th Century England, not everyone had the right to vote, but there were those within

By Charles Christian I had a mentor and professor who, after he made a profound point about growing in faith and walking in maturity, would sum things up by saying something like this: “So, on my good days, I find myself benefitting from this greatly.” This phrase, “on my good days,” has stuck with me

By Charles Christian I was reading recently that not only do immediate personal issues affect our mood and our health, but the news around us can impact us, as well. The headlines that we’re bombarded with on the internet, television and in newspapers, even though they may be far away or not related directly to

By Charles Christian A pastor invited a younger colleague to a professional basketball game. The young man had not been to many pro games, so he was excited to be included. My friend was a sports chaplain, so he got in free and was allowed to invite a friend to the games. The young man

By Charles Christian We were born into a unique situation. We have unique personalities and gifts. We are also born into unique families and communities. Some families and communities are loving, caring and nurturing. Others are neglectful and even harmful. However, most either express thanks for the healthy community they were raised in or at

By Charles Christian September is traditionally called “harvest month.” Because the Bible was written during an era when many people lived in farming communities, it is filled with stories and lessons about “the harvest.” Even though farmers work all year long raising various crops, designating a specific harvest month can remind us of important lessons

By Charles Christian We start learning from the very beginning. We go from full dependence to greater independence, especially when it comes to basic functions. Even if there are physical limitations that limit our independence, we still learn and grow. There is a sense in which we are always learning and growing. Some continue the

By Charles Christian Mistakes are embarrassing. I remember seeing a commercial featuring a college bass drummer in a marching band. During the halftime show in front of a national audience, he turned the wrong way and had to quickly step to the side when everyone else was suddenly marching toward him. The commercial, which was

By Charles Christian Any new adventure can increase stress levels. New adventures can also get our adrenaline pumping and sharpen our focus. New jobs, new environments, new relationships and even a new school year can provide opportunities to break out of our daily ruts by challenging us to adjust our thinking and actions to adapt.

By Charles Christian Running has been popular for centuries. What started as a method to simply get from place to place faster has become the subject of athletic competition in virtually every country in the world. Millions of people are focused on the Summer Olympics in Paris, where runners compete for medals. It seems that

By Charles Christian Teachers have been highly respected throughout history. In Ancient Greece, revolutionary teachers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle not only influenced the Roman Empire, but they also impacted centuries of thinkers and leaders. The Bible is filled with references to “teaching” and “teachers.” In the Old Testament, the word “rabbi,” who was the

By Charles Christian A break-up song from the 1970s has the singer lamenting about his ex, “We just disagree.” The chorus of the song begins this way: “So, let’s leave it alone because we can’t see eye to eye; there’s only you and me, and we just disagree.” Break-up songs are always sad. However, I

By Charles Christian By definition, a “miracle” describes an event that goes beyond the normal or natural course of events. Most often, something is described as a miracle if it speeds up or overrides a natural process. It is “supernatural” — “above and beyond nature.” Some people believe in miracles. Others do not. Many claim