Always Reforming

Why? Why do Protestants keep joining the Roman Catholic Church (RCC)?   You probably know someone who has converted to Roman Catholicism recently.  You likely have a friend, a family member, or an acquaintance who has taken the plunge and made that difficult swim across the Tiber.  He or she was raised within Protestantism, whether one of the mainline traditions (Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, etc.) or an independent, non-denominational church, but found a renewed sense of faith by "going back to Rome." Perhaps it wasn't Rome.  Perhaps it was another liturgical tradition like the Eastern Orthodox Church (EOC).  I personally have a cousin who became a Byzantine Catholic and a friend who joined the Polish National Catholic Church.  I'm sure statistics would show that these older churches have their own issues losing parishioners, but it cannot be denied that there is a movement, especially among young men and young families, towards the older, more li...

Delivered on as part of The Seven Last Sayings of Christ on the Cross at St. John's Anglican Church in Canton, OH (Good Friday, 2026). After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”  A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. (John 19:28-29) We have all been thirsty, I trust.  We all know what it is like to have parched lips, a dry palate, a frothy tongue.  We all, to one degree or another, can identify with the weakness–the faintness–of dehydration.   Jesus, a genuine human being with a genuine human body that had genuine physical needs, experienced genuine thirst as He hung from the Cross.  He experienced what we experience.  He felt what we feel.  As the author of Hebrews says, we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses .  When you’re thirsty after a hard day of work or a ri...

There is nowhere  I would rather be Than snuggled up Beside you Under covers On a cold Saturday morning There is nothing I would rather do Than spend my life Loving you Creating memories Sharing laughs And sorrows There is no one With whom I would  Rather share  My time My heart The long days and The cold nights

Conversions are often for the sake of expedience.  Android users adopt Apple products.  Energy drink drinkers start drinking coffee.  Fair-weather fans join the bandwagon for whatever team seems to be building a dynasty.  People are always changing their allegiances when it is convenient to do so. Religious conversions are no exception.  Such a conversion is often costly, as Christians in places like Nigeria and Pakistan can attest, but it is just as often done for power, money, or respectability.  Christianity, especially the quaint, neo-conservative kind that opposes Commies, supports Israel, and produces alternative entertainment content, is kind of in right now, so it's fair to question celebrity conversions at this particular moment in American history. Much has been made of the fact that Kid Rock headlined a conservative, religious alternative to Bad Bunny's halftime show.  If you don't know, Kid Rock hasn't exactly spent his career creating fa...

  A few thoughts on the Halftime show: I live in Canton, OH, about five minutes from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. NE Ohio practically invented professional football as we know it, so it's still like a religion around here (how else can you explain such loyalty to the Browns?). It was the blue-collar American man's game. It was a game of skill, strength, and endurance--everything that built this country, especially the Midwest. Over time this game we love became a product. Ironically, it once again epitomized the American spirit--we can make anything about money. It eventually overtook baseball as America's favorite pastime. Even yet, it was still a uniquely American game. After all, other countries still refer to it as "American football." America has a lot of money, but not as much money as the entire world, so it was inevitable that the NFL would begin to push to create an international fanbase. It started with games being held in London, Germany, M...

The Internet has never been so partisan.  Immigration, ICE, Greenland--everyone parrots their tribal taglines.  If you do not loudly and proudly proclaim your position, you are a bad person and should feel bad about yourself.  You will certainly be on the wrong side of history! Alas, I have found great freedom in remembering that I do not, in fact, have to voice my opinion on every matter.  I do not have to endorse or decry politicians, government entities, and/or ethnic groups every time some conflagration occurs.  I don't have to pick sides, solve social ills, or litigate uses of force.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am responsible to love my neighbor, to pray for my leaders and fellow-citizens, and to do what good I can in the world.  I am not responsible to declare my position on every issue, every tragedy, every outrage.  I will not be judged by whether or not I had every issue figured out.  I will be judged by whether or not I loved ...

Sisyphus, What kind of trick is this? Always walking uphill, Always winding the clock, Always wondering  If? When? You call this formation, But it feels like punishment, For wasted years and  Wayward thoughts. Does it ever end? The struggle, the ardor, The self-doubt and  Self-surrender? Weary, I wander, Is it giving up Or reading the signs? I'm beginning to think  No one ever arrives, We merely do our best To survive Until we die. Won't you put me out of my Misery? Cut off my head And set me free? Do you do well to be angry? I'm not looking for Redemption, Just purpose, and Resolution.