When Nelson Mandela died last week at the age of 95, he moved into the realm of sainthood.   How else does one describe this man around whom myth circulates like a golden cloud?

I discovered my dad was a hero when I read a book. I mean a real hero. To me he was just my dad, a man I loved passionately and whom I knew loved me. He was strong and wise and kind. And he could be tough when he needed to be. He was the man who taught me about God by what he said and by the way he lived.

What does it mean when a leader lies?  It’s a question no one is asking. In 1959 President Eisenhower lied about the U-2 incident. 

[NOTE: This item expresses the views of the individual to whom the item is ascribed and does not necessarily reflect the position of the WRF as a whole.]

Our world has changed.  Not very long ago almost everyone agreed that killing babies in the womb was terribly wrong, that homosexuality was not God’s way, and that sex belonged inside marriage.  They were sure some things were right and others wrong.

A few days ago California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a new provision for the public schools of California. The law mandates that children who are confused about their gender identity may use whichever restroom they feel comfortable in.

Starting Wednesday, September 25, 2013, the President of the Republic of Kenya declared three days of national mourning, following the horrific tragedy that unfolded from Saturday 21st – Tuesday 24th before the eyes of the whole world at the high end Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi.

First, full disclosure.  I don’t know anything about what’s going on.  But for that matter, neither do you.  That information is being closely held by the intelligence community and by the Muckety-Mucks of the American government. 

Last week, the Supreme Court issued rulings that boosted the cause of same sex marriage by a 5-4 decision, and ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional.

[NOTE: This item expresses the views of the individual to whom the item is ascribed and does not necessarily reflect the position of the WRF as a whole. ]

Last Sunday’s New York Times published, “The Gospel According to Me,” an Opinionator blog critiquing America’s spiritual quest for “the authentic self” as ultimately selfish and one that dead-ends at cynicism.

[NOTE: This item expresses the views of the individual to whom the item is ascribed and does not necessarily reflect the position of the WRF as a whole.

When ‘no’ means ‘yes’.

If we say that there is no possibility of something happening, how does this develop into a situation where it does happen? Only by torturing language and allowing ‘no’ to become ‘yes’.

[NOTE: This item expresses the views of the individual to whom the item is ascribed and does not necessarily reflect the position of the WRF as a whole.

Rob Bell spoke, back in March, at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. In response to a question about gay marriage he said,  "I am for marriage. I am for fidelity. I am for love, whether it's a man and woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man. I think the ship has sailed and I think the church needs -- I think this is the world we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are."

[NOTE: This item expresses the views of the individual to whom the item is ascribed and does not necessarily reflect the position of the WRF as a whole. ]

Like many other evangelical and Reformed Christians (both in the United States and around the world), I disagree with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions which seem to recognize both the legal and the moral legitimacy of gay marriage.