Imagine the stereotypical country church in a pastoral setting: little white building, green stained glass, a steeple and 100 year old oak trees framing the picture. That’s the church I am blessed enough to serve. She sits off a two-lane country road in the middle of tobacco farms where we define a traffic jam as … Continue reading
Author Archives: dprichmond
It’s Who I Am
The pot is officially stirred. Don’t blame Chick-fil-A. They are merely the catalyst that brought things from a slow simmer to a rolling boil. For over 48 hours the culture war has raged, and it has brought some interesting e-mails to my inbox. I have had several people ‘come out,’ so to speak, in private … Continue reading
Intolerable Tolerance
I’m a fan of outspoken Christians. From the Apostle Peter to Jon Wesley I have always held men who boldly spoke the truth in the face of opposition in the highest regard. Add to that list Truett Cathy, the founder and owner of Chick-fil-A and his son, Dan Cathy, the company CEO. Their company has … Continue reading
When the Dark Night Ends
It’s one of those stories that make you shake your head and question the heavens. A lunatic walks into a movie theater and sets off tear gas canisters and starts shooting people. What was supposed to be a special night out turns into a massacre. There were couples on dates, parents treating their kids to … Continue reading
Anonymous
I want to be synonymous with anonymous. Don’t get me wrong. I like to be complimented and recognized. But to be anonymous is to be the opposite of autonomous, where I rely on self and pride to get me through the day. Also, anonymous doesn’t have to be pseudonymous. There are no facades to put … Continue reading
50 Shades of Wrong (and what’s so magic about Mike?)
Okay ladies, it’s time to put on your steel-toe pumps because I have a feeling more than one of you is going to have sore feet after reading this, and some of you might even get angry with me. But before I get started, let me establish two important facts. 1. This post is directed … Continue reading
Is Patriotism a Sin?
I love the Fourth of July holiday. Cookouts, pool parties and fireworks fill my memories as I think of past Independence Days. Yet over the last 3-4 years I have noticed a trend that is rising amongst many church leaders, and it seems to bubble to the surface every year around July 4th. There is … Continue reading
Uncommon Hands
In memory of Billy and Barbara Hudgins; two people who danced to the music of the blacksmith. His were the hands of a blacksmith: thick and muscled, calloused and worn. A fingernail was black from being crushed and there seemed to be dirt permanently embedded in the creases of his knuckles. There are a lot … Continue reading
Being a Failure for God
“Failure is not an option.” If you’ve watched the 1995 movie, Apollo 13, about the botched 1970 lunar landing, you have heard this line. It was uttered by Ed Harris’ character, Gene Kranz, the lead flight director who is credited for helping guide the damaged craft safely back to earth. The line is great because … Continue reading
Homosexuality, Grace and Truth
I’m tired. I’m tired of the whole debate over homosexuals. Should they marry? Should they not marry? What about civil unions? I’m tired of politics. I’m tired of bills designed to ‘protect’ marriage. I’m tired of politicians saying what is expedient rather than what is necessary. I’m tired of the ‘us’ vs. ‘them’ mentality that … Continue reading
The Pondering Preacher 