Forward Day By Day – July 18, 2018

Having come to New Orleans for spring break, my four students and I were assigned to a larger group from another university to gut houses all around the city. Hurricane Katrina had hit roughly seven months before, but it might as well have been yesterday, given the...

Why pray?

“The trouble with being a god is that you’ve got no one to pray to.” Small Gods, Terry Pratchett   Does God need our prayers? It is foolishness to Greeks, with their ideal sufficiency. It is a stumbling block to our proud humility, and yet...

Humanists Seek Funds for Chaplains

Humanists UK has launched an appeal to fund hospital chaplains for nonbelievers, which some Christians warn could lead to existing chaplains being squeezed out. Richy Thomson, director of public affairs and policy for Humanists UK, said nonbelievers are neglected by...

Lord Carey Allowed to Preach Again

The Diocese of Oxford has lifted the ban on the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, allowing him to preach and lead worship in his local parish. For now, however, he will not return to any duties as an honorary assistant bishop. Last June Lord Carey stood...

Forward Day By Day – July 17, 2018

There I was, dangling from a rope, rappelling down the face of a 60-foot cliff. The rush was incredible. What precipitated this experience was a simple invitation: “Wanna try it, Ms. Hanson?” My student looked more like a surfer dude than the ex-Marine he was. Zac had...

Blink…Blink

Sometimes you blink your eyes and a whole year has passed.   Last year at this time my family and I were waiting. Summer in full swing, the heat stifling, and a baby about to be born. We woke up each morning and went to sleep every night wondering: will this be...