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Bruce Maples

Baptist Group Stands AGAINST Theocrats and their Lying Billboards

From an op-ed in the Tampa Tribune [http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/aug/02/co-billboards-a-blow-to-us-history/news-opinion-commentary/]: > For the next six months, people on the roads of Pinellas and Hillsborough > counties will rumble past billboard ads making false claims and misleading > assert

Live Like A Cat

(reflections on a cat on concrete outside a shop in Swansboro, NC) I think there are many life lessons to be gained by observing cats.

Toxic Faith and the Tiller Murder

The murder of George Tiller [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090531/ap_on_re_us/us_tiller_shooting] in his church this past Sunday has sparked horror and grief across the political and religious spectrum, as persons on both sides of the abortion debate have condemned the killing as senseless and wrong.

Changing

For most of my life, I have been seen as an extrovert, by myself and by others. A big "E" on the Myers-Briggs. A Sanguine on the personality types. Comfortable on stage, anxious to be in front, wanting to lead, with a strong need for attention and, I hoped, approval. Loud, boisterous, story-telling,

Stupid Bumper Sticker of the Week

Saw this in Knoxville while visiting my mom: If it's not King James, it's not Bible. I grunted in disgust, and my mom asked what was wrong. I pointed out the bumper sticker in front of us, and she (daughter of a Baptist preacher and faithful

A Comment on Lost Friendships

Have you ever had a friendship come to an end, and no matter what you do, you can't find out why? I have, and it's frustrating.

One-Sentence Guideline for Christians

From Connie Schultz, panelist on last night's Bill Maher show: I was raised by a born-again Christian who taught us that being a good Christian meant fixing yourself and helping others, not the other way around. Okay, folks, there's your sermon for today; no need

Irony Is Lost on Some People

I wrote a big, long introduction to this, trying to find some way to explain it -- but I just can't explain it. Perhaps their good intentions can be their excuse. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/30/145245/63/817/647006

Life As Gift, Live As Gift

Sometimes, when you least expect it, grace breaks in. Sunday night was the Four Churches concert that our church participates in each fall. Having finished my small handbell contribution (we accompanied the first hymn), I sat down to enjoy the rest of the concert. As I looked around the beautiful

The Daily Grind

(or, Writing Ain't Beanbag) I've been trying to get back into the blogging mode, doing something every day, for about a month. And it ain't easy. The job seems to take more and more time; I'm often in the office by 6: