Keeping The Faith

When I watch my children skim-boarding in the surf, I remember what it is like to be blissfully young, oblivious to danger, and as flexible as a rubber band. I am none of those things now. That is why you will not catch me performing very many “ollies” or “shuv-its” on the beach.  For my…

My friends have a new dog. His name is Chowder. Chowder is a globe of fuzz and fun with one ear that points due north and another that falls like a floppy patch over his right eye. Full-grown but not even knee high, I don’t know how this charming little mutt could be any cuter. You…

One of my favorite Brennan Manning quotes is about heaven, but only indirectly. It’s more about how to best live our lives today. Manning says, “Heaven will be filled with preschoolers. No adults will be allowed admittance.” Brennan’s quote duplicates the words of Jesus: “The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children,”…

Jesus once healed a man suffering from leprosy. Overwhelmed by what had just happened, he fell at Jesus’ feet in gratitude. Outside of other crusty lepers, Jesus is the first person this man would have gotten close to in years. He did not run home to the wife he had not held in his arms…

When my youngest son hopped on an airplane for his first foray into the friendly skies, it didn’t take him long to shake off any fear he may have brought down the tarmac with him. He loved it, his favorite part being when the plane would bank steeply to one side. “It’s fun when the universe…

Last week I made a purchase at the supermarket: A bottle of wine and a bit of coffee. Staples, you know. At check out I was asked to show my identification. It made me proud. I was still relishing my youthful looks when the cashier announced the total of my purchase: $19.89. “1989,” the cashier…

Scientists have a name for it: Ergomania. It is a word composed of two Latin roots. “Ergo,” meaning work, and “mania,” which means passion. Ergomania, thusly, is a “passion for work.” In contemporary society we use a different term for an individual suffering from this condition: The “workaholic.” The condition is not limited to corporate…

A few months ago I was sitting outside of a café in Orlando, Florida. As much as anywhere, Orlando is a crossroads of the world. Watching and listening, we saw European tourists who were speaking German, French and Spanish. A large, cigar-smoking Italian sat to my right, who I learned was a chef at a restaurant…

Not far from my home is a Baptist church. I suppose it’s like most Baptist churches that dot the highways of the south. They have a modest sanctuary. The former worship space has been converted into the “fellowship hall.” I’m sure the hallways of the buildings have crayon and wear marks from little hands and…

There is an ancient story from the Cherokee Nation that was used to illustrate the danger of getting too close to something dangerous. I first heard it as a child, though variations of the tale are found in most all of the world’s tribal societies. A young boy, who was soon to be initiated into manhood,…

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Ronnie McBrayer

Ronnie McBrayer is a syndicated columnist, speaker, blogger, and author. His books include “Leaving Religion, Following Jesus” and “The Jesus Tribe.” Visit his website at www.ronniemcbrayer.me.

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