Ross T Lucas

I recently came across a Facebook post which said that most of the trouble in the world was because of religion.  The person who wrote the piece was advocating for the banning of all religion because religion was a public health issue.  What bothered me most about the article was that it was very accurate … More Religion and Politics

When someone is asked about their religion today, it isn’t uncommon for them to respond that they are “spiritual” but not “religious.”  What is meant by that statement can be anything from the person being anti-church, to the person being heavily involved in Eastern meditation practices, to someone just wanting to have their own way … More Spiritual

There’s a difference between being a “Christian” and being a “disciple.”  During the time Jesus walked the earth and immediately following the resurrection, those who followed him were called “disciples” or “followers.”  It was only years later that they were called “Christians.”  Since that time there has been a fundamental shift in what it meant … More Being a Christian and Being a Disciple

Thanksgiving. A day to give thanks? Or, a day to overindulge? What are we to do? Each November, in the United States, we celebrate one day as Thanksgiving Day. This isn’t a uniquely Christian idea.  Many religions call for a time of thanksgiving related to the end of the harvest. The actual date might change … More Thanksgiving

What it means to be a Christian can be described by many different schemata.  Two of these are contemplation and prophetic involvement.  This idea comes from Richard Rohr in his book, Dancing Standing Still: Healing the World from a Place of Prayer.  In the book Rohr says: “God offers us quiet, contemplative eyes, but God … More Two Ways of Being Christian

One of my favorite concepts of courage is that “courage” doesn’t mean one isn’t afraid, but rather, one takes action despite the fear.  It’s indeed true that it doesn’t take courage to do something if one has no fear. I considered what takes the greatest courage.  The more I thought about it, the more the … More Courage

There are a lot of people hurting in our country.  I’m sure there are a lot of people hurting within our community.  It’s a fact of life that living brings pain.  What are we to do with the pain others are feeling? Jesus addressed the issue of other’s pain when he told people that the … More Owning Your Pain

When you see someone walking down the street wearing ragged clothes, their hair in disarray: What does their appearance say to you?  In church, you see someone walk in you don’t like, and perhaps, in the past, they have hurt you in some way.  What thoughts are triggered by the sight of that person?  Walking … More Seeing Through the Eyes of Jesus