As we remember the events that led to a national holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. King Jr., let’s look to some 20th-century history and see if we can find some inspiration and hope for the days ahead.

I visited the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden on a recent trip to Washington, D.C. When I entered the museum, I immediately saw big colorful words on the walls and ceiling of the lower floor. I took the …

I was excited to see the movie “A Complete Unknown” as soon as it showed nearby. I am in awe of Bob Dylan’s lyrics, even though I am not enamored of his sandpapery voice. The movie …

This week between holidays is for family, friends and feasting on leftovers. It’s for lingering with coffee and cookies, cuddling our pets and ignoring the alarm. A new calendar will roll in on …

Being human is a messy business. Coming into the world is a messy process. The testimony of the writings sacred to Christians called the Gospels bear witness that God chose to reveal Godself ​ …

There’s a pink candle in the middle of all the purple ones! What is this? It represents a joyful respite on the way to Christmas, now less than two weeks away. Joy has a more nuanced meaning …

In my early days as a pastor, I had too much theological education and not enough time in the real world of the church. I tried (unsuccessfully) to get my congregation to hold off celebrating …

My mentor, Rev. Dr. Anthony Campolo, age 89, died this week. He was my professor of sociology at Eastern College, which is now Eastern University. I arrived at Eastern College’s beautiful …

My father had the ability to talk to anyone anywhere. Color, status, clothing, education or religion meant nothing to him. He valued each person. He would endlessly embarrass me, calling me over to …

I am relocating in a few weeks. My mind is as messy as my garage. My thoughts are piled like my things. They mixed up in a variety of “to-do” lists. I haven’t moved in 12 years. …

A two-hour drive north by car to Darien, Georgia, and then a short ferry ride will take you to Sapelo Island. This is an unspoiled sea island in the chain of sea islands that stretches along the …

I would never make light of the destruction and heartache caused by the compound storms and political chaos of our time. I had scheduled an art tour to our nation’s capital and I was fortunate …

My home of 12 years is for sale. I supervised the building of it from New Jersey as I was concluding my ministry of 13 years in that location. I was excited to have a home of my own in a beautiful …

I had a busy day and was tired. I took a nap. I slept longer than I had planned. I had to go to the grocery store before the day’s end. I got myself together and set out. I got what I needed …

My old glasses were pranksters. They hid on an obscure shelf in the garage, snickering gleefully while I looked for them in the house and in the front yard. It wasn’t until I went searching for …