The greatest story ever told must be pretty darn good; it's been retold too many times to count and still going strong. So when Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice created the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar," first released as a double album in 1970 and brought to stage in 1971, they were nearly guaranteed an instant hit. Despite backlash from religious groups, five Tony Award nominations, a film adaptation and numerous subsequent stage productions proved Webber and Rice knew what they were doing. ...more

June 24, 2008

I refer to the article by Leonard Pitts, "We've Lost Sight of Christ's Love," printed in the Tampa Tribune on May 1. After reading the article carefully, I conclude that Mr. Pitts agrees with James Lawson, that modern Christianity is wrong in opposing a certain "alternate lifestyle" so vehemently. I also am displeased with much of "modern Christianity." I prefer what I would call "old fashioned Christianity." At the same time, I oppose the premise that Christians are the only ones who dare not protest what they are firmly convinced is sin! ...more

May 10, 2008

Whoa, whoa, stop! "Modern Christianity Out Of Step With Jesus' Teachings" was the headline of an article by columnist Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald that ran on the editorial page of Highlands Today, Wednesday, April 30. This is outright blatantly inaccurate. Apparently, Mr. Pitts is blind to hundreds of thousands of churches through out this country that preach just the opposite, and thank God for that, Mr. Pitts. Since when did Christianity proclaim a modern version? True Christians believe in Christ's word, as stated in the Gospels of the New Testament, however, many folks would like to believe otherwise since it makes sinning a lot easier. There is only one version for today, tomorrow, and always, as written in Holy Scripture of the Bible. Did Jesus acknowledge so called barriers? You bet! Go to John 3:3, John 3:16-18, Luke 17:1-3 and Matthew 12: 31-32. I find these as barriers that can be overcome by all who acknowledge and believe in Him as it is written. Comparing slavery to gay rights? No comparison. Slavery of human kind is against God's will to the highest degree. Homosexuality is a sin, period. To say otherwise is condoning sin of the body and mind which is Gods temple. Jews were in slavery and persecuted until death for hundreds of years in history and today are still fighting for their rights in Israel. No, Mr. Pitts, you and pastors like the controversial Jeremiah Wright and James Lawson make up a good threesome of men who should be thankful to God for their very successful existence in America. Thank God for His blessings upon you. ...more

May 3, 2008

In one of my college philosophy courses the professor told us that the God of the Old Testament was a different one than the God of the New Testament. After all, he had pointed out, in the old books there was an awful lot of smotin' going on. Plagues were being unleashed, cities were being destroyed and the curious risked being turned into pillars of salt. But in the New Testament sinners were forgiven, people were fed and the lame made to walk. And if your wine supply ran a bit low maybe the son of one of your guests could lend a hand. It was a book of hope. God had learned to smile. But I think the old God, the Creator, had a sense of humor, people just didn't have the tools recognize it. ...more

February 16, 2008

Hope United Methodist Church brings to life the significance of Christmas with its annual "Walk Through Bethlehem" from Friday through Monday. ...more

November 29, 2007