Windmills & Torii Gates Blog
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Radio Interview
Listening and Religion in America Today
“They say there are two things we aren’t supposed to talk about in public – religion and politics. In the next episode of “Stop Telling and Start Listening” my special guest, Doug Vrieland, and I are going to break that rule and wade deep into a discussion about religion in politics and politics in religion. Join us for an interesting discussion about these two subjects in relation to evangelical church in the United States today. Doug and I have had several private conversations about the politicization of the modern Christian, evangelical church and the impact of these behaviors on our society – believers and non-believers alike. I have always enjoyed the way Doug articulates his own struggles to support a denomination he loves while battling with the manner in which today’s evangelical church inserts its beliefs into the political issues today. I invited Doug to have one of our conversations on the show because his comments, concerns, and struggles are interesting and enlightening. It isn’t easy to talk politics and religion with most people, but Doug has nice way of authentically and constructively sharing his views without being confrontational, condemming or critical.”
My Books
The Fort: Growing Up In Grosse Pointe During the Civil Rights Movement
Imagine African-American students from the inner city being bussed to a private school in one of the richest communities in the nation. Imagine residents of a city known nationally as the “poster child of racial segregation” rebelling and calling for open housing. Imagine Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. describing “The Other America” to an audience in Detroit’s wealthiest suburb eight months after the July 1967 riots. These and other true stories recorded in this historical memoir will give insight and courage to anyone interested in justice for all regardless of race in our current, politically polarized time.
Coming Soon
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Veterans from America’s longest war have now joined veterans of America’s earlier wars in the streets of our communities and the pews of our churches. They bring with them a perspective that has been shaped by their military or war experience. Like everyone else in our congregations, they have spiritual gifts (Corinthians 12:7, Ephesians 4:7-8) that are vital for the full functioning of the Body of Christ. They also have needs, the same needs as every other member of the congregation. They need the church to embrace them, to love them, to hear their stories, to offer grace and forgiveness where necessary, and to provide them opportunities to use their gifts to serve.
Coming Soon
A Trained Killer in Church
Veterans from America’s longest war have now joined veterans of America’s earlier wars in the streets of our communities and the pews of our churches. They bring with them a perspective that has been shaped by their military or war experience. Like everyone else in our congregations, they have spiritual gifts (Corinthians 12:7, Ephesians 4:7-8) that are vital for the full functioning of the Body of Christ. They also have needs, the same needs as every other member of the congregation. They need the church to embrace them, to love them, to hear their stories, to offer grace and forgiveness where necessary, and to provide them opportunities to use their gifts to serve.
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Events
April 21 event, I will be joined by Kathy (Cosseboom) Groehn El-Messidi, author of the book, “Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Race Against Race” in a presentation entitled, “Grosse Pointe’s Real Estate Point System and Ethnic Diversity in the 1960s” as part of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society’s Frank Bicknell Lecture Series. The program will be co-sponsored by the Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods chapter of the NAACP and will be offered via livestream only. The program starts at 7:00 PM Eastern Daylight time.
The following Saturday, April 24, I will be hosting a book signing from 12:00-2:00 at the Grosse Pointe Historical Society Provencal-Weir Home, 375 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236.
