I’ve long felt that the Christmas season begins too early and ends too soon. This is not a religious complaint. It’s a commercial complaint. In the consumer culture of the United States, Christmas decorations appear in drug stores and grocery markets before Halloween. By mid-October, I feel inundated with red and green paper, images of…
The American holiday of Thanksgiving kicks off a season where a spirit of gratitude pervades society. From the media to faith communities, the notion of thankfulness abounds. I’ve always found it problematic that the value of gratitude is so closely tied to an American myth of cooperation that was really about genocide. Most school children…
I’m not a big fan of self-help books. It’s not that they don’t contain any wisdom or truth. It’s just that I prefer – perhaps even need – more human interaction. But let’s be honest, a book is far cheaper than a life-coach, therapist or weekly lunch with a good friend. And self-help books remind…
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but I’ll never forget what you said.” That’s the truer version of the playground retort bullied children are supposed to use when maliciously teased. Although the original – “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” – can be quickly rolled off the…
Physics was my most difficult class in high school. Every time the teacher posed a question and asked the class for an answer, I got it wrong. I did the equations and exercises and pushed around those little wooden carts, and still never really got it. Even though I didn’t get a good grade,…
A couple of weeks ago, I reached in my wallet and could not find my credit card. I had not used it in hours and could not put my hand on it after searching my bag and couch. I started looking for the phone number of the last place where I had purchased something….
Once a month, I gather with community — some are friends; some I barely know. We tell stories of how God brought us out of difficult times and into freedom. This is bread for our journey together. We sit at the table with people who have hurt us. We trust that God will give us…
The Eddie Long Case and What’s Not Being Said I apologize in advance to those who normally follow my blog, Beautiful Mind Blog. I usually focus the blog on the intersection of depression and faith with a new entry at least once a week. Nevertheless, the firestorm around the allegations of sexual misconduct by Atlanta…
I like to do crosswords puzzles in free moments. I was in trouble when I discovered the iPod/ iPhone app. I wish I could say I do them because of the new research that indicates that mental games like crosswords and Sudoku stave off Alzheimer’s disease. I’m not that forward-looking. I find…
One of America’s protective freedoms lies in the principle of “the separation of church and state.” My friends who are legal scholars tell me that the provision was initially made to protect churches from the government. This “freedom of religion” means that the government will not persecute anyone for practicing her faith. It also…
Dr. Monica A. Coleman is an award-winning scholar, writer, and minister dedicated to the intersections of faith, social justice, and transformation. Through speaking, consulting, and writing, she empowers individuals and organizations to navigate change with purpose and integrity.
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