The Problem of Community Colleges

I recently came across this 2004 study by the Alabama Policy Institute that examines the cost of remedial education to businesses and institutions of higher learning.  (Here’s a link to the pdf)  I was particularly struck by the statistics related to students at Alabama community colleges.  I think a quick note is in order here [...]

Thoughts on Tiger Woods.

Now that the Master’s is here – one of the most glorious weekends in all of sports – I thought I would offer a few thoughts on the sad Tiger Woods story.  Here are some initial thoughts, and I will continue to follow up on this in the next few days. Concerning the Tiger Woods [...]

Conservative Media

Here are some thoughts on Glenn Beck and the new conservative media. You will notice a comment I left in the thread below.  I won’t mince words except to say that as a conservative – a deeply committed, unapologetic conservative – I have a visceral disdain for the conservative media. What is my problem?  Conservatives [...]

Michael Spencer, R.I.P.

Michael Spencer has died. He died on Monday night, a day after we Christians greeted the happy morning whereupon our Lord Jesus Christ conquered hell and the grave.  Michael is no longer singing words in a sanctuary.  He is there existentially and metaphysically in the resurrection, going forth with joy like a calf from its [...]

Something Is Wrong

A lot of bloggers I like and respect have been playing the Ten Books game lately, wherein they try to lay out ten books that have deeply influenced the way they view the world.  For a quick example, see these lists by Ross Douthat of the New York Times and Rod Dreher of the Templeton [...]

A Violent, Terrible Grace

It seems that we long desperately for grace to be on our own terms – kind and gentle, similar to what we find in the writings of Henri Nouwen or Brennan Manning.  And it often is!  But there are times when grace is clouded.  No one who lived in the moment of Paul’s experience on the [...]

Quick Hit

Mark Galli of Christianity Today has a nice piece on what church should look like. Should Churches Be As Friendly As a Bar? Key quote: “Furthermore, you don’t really belong to a group until people feel free enough to tell you what they really think of you and free enough to talk about the deepest, [...]

The Centrality of the Gospel

My church – the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama – is hosting a conference for youth leaders.  Here’s a link to some information on the conference. The Centrality of the Gospel.

In Praise of Urgency

I have never been much for urgency in the Christian life.  I have tried – almost to a fault – to avoid legalism that appears as a need, i.e. suggesting we should not build a beautiful church building because there are starving children in Burma.  And I have always been annoyed when urgency invades every [...]

SOTU thoughts.

I think that deep down the President really wants to ehlp, but he’s just going to kill the economy…