The nature of journalism – particularly Christian journalism – and reporting the news – particularly as it relates to God’s people – have been on my mind lately. They’re on my mind because, after 15 years and more than 300 issues of The Pathway, I’m headed for something new and exciting. Though I’m extraordinarily sad to say goodbye to you as readers, I’m delighted to tell you I’m moving from Jefferson City to Kansas City and will soon marry my fiancée, Melissa. I covet your prayers as I … [Read more...]
On the philosophy of being bored
JEFFERSON CITY – As of press time (we journalists love that phrase, don’t you know), I’ve watched 44 classic movies since I began sheltering in place (this journalist hates that phrase… just say “stay at home.”). I love movies, but I’m beginning to grow bored with my Stay at Home Film Festival. The situation, my friends, is growing dire. To be sure, a little cabin fever is preferable to the very literal, very real fever that might have spread even more if we weren’t all camping out at … [Read more...]
Experiencing story in God’s Creation, escape rooms
“For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20 (CSB): * * * * I spent last Saturday in a casino, and I’m proud to say I won. I won big. Lest you call my Baptist bona fides into question, allow me to explain. More precisely, it was a casino-themed escape room. If you’re not up to speed on the … [Read more...]
Sharing grace in Uganda: Student’s journey of obedience leads her to love, care for children with disabilities
JINJA, Uganda – Lauren Ziehmer distinctly remembers being in church around the age of twelve and listening to Ms. Ruth. Ruth founded an orphanage in Africa and was sharing about the physical and gospel needs of the children there. As Ziehmer listened, she also heard God’s calling on her heart, setting her apart for a specific purpose. As she got older, doubts crept in and she not only questioned it, she almost felt ashamed she dared think she could ever serve in that way. Over the next … [Read more...]
‘Paul’ movie sticks to Scripture, but lacks his energy
JEFFERSON CITY – “Paul: Apostle of Christ” is tastefully acted, nuanced, possesses decent production values and – most crucially – is biblically sound. That right there sets it up to be better than most “Bible” or “Christian” movies these days. I’m just not sure that makes it a good movie. The movie covers Paul’s last days while he is a prisoner in Rome. Played by British actor James Faulkner (“Downton Abbey”), he is tired and near the end of his life and ministry. Yet, he remains … [Read more...]
Sight & Sounds’s ‘Samson’ lives up to hype
BRANSON – As much as I love “Les Miserables” and “Phantom of the Opera,” those stage musicals do not have llamas or camels. Advantage: Sight & Sound Theatre’s ‘Samson.’ If you’ve been to a Sight & Sound production, you can go ahead and stop reading now. You already know the quality, thought and skill they put into the productions, so just save yourself a few minutes; go ahead and book your tickets for “Samson” and start planning that road trip down Highway 65. I had never been to … [Read more...]
Vic Borden: The pastor as counselor and guide
KANSAS CITY – Vic Borden, the pastor of Red Bridge Baptist Church here, focuses on his ministry strengths. For him, that means walking alongside his congregation as shepherd and counselor, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice. “I’m just an OK administrator, theologian and preacher, but I am in my zone when I am tending the flock,” Borden said. I have that heart for God’s people, and I think they would tell you that. I feed them and I watch out for them and … [Read more...]
David Wells: The pastor as servant-leader
HILLSBORO – When it comes to serving, pastor David Wells prefers to lead Sandy Baptist Church by example. “Whether it is serving through missions, ministering or disaster relief, you can’t take the people where you haven’t been,” he said. “If I want them to serve, I need to be their servant first. Servanthood is about doing it with them, not for them.” Wells was in a perfect position to model servant leadership for Sandy Baptist. When they called him as pastor, they specifically asked … [Read more...]
Despite glazing over the Almighty’s providence, ‘Dunkirk’ a must-see
JEFFERSON CITY – Who knew the story of a colossal military failure could turn into such an inspiration? And yet that is what you get with the wonderfully tense movie directed by Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk.” It’s a very straightforward – and true – story. In the opening days of World War II (and long before the U.S. entered the fray), more than 400,000 British soldiers were trapped at Dunkirk, a small city on the French side of the English Channel. Though only 35 miles of water separated … [Read more...]
DR’s witness pops up during late night flood duty
It was somewhere between 2 and 5 a.m., April 30. It was cold, wet, and windy as I watched the waters of the Osage River creep ever closer. When the Cole County Sheriff activated his posse (a ready-to-go group of trained civilian volunteers… no, we don’t chase after cattle rustlers, but my fingers are crossed) for flood duty, I changed into my uniform and immediately confirmed my availability. I thought I might spend the afternoon rescuing stranded citizens trapped in their flooded homes. … [Read more...]
Movie Review: ‘The Case for Christ’ makes case for best ‘Christian’ movie yet
I’ve been on a classic movies kick lately, spending my evenings watching cinematic masterpieces like Casablanca, North by Northwest and Lawrence of Arabia. What makes these films endure throughout the decades isn’t so much the story (Casablanca and North by Northwest have major plot holes, and Lawrence of Arabia doesn’t have much of a story at all); it’s a director’s deft touch and high-quality acting. For too long, so-called “Christian” movies have been on the opposite end of the skill … [Read more...]
Movie Review: ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ shows triumph of conscience
I have never been in the military. In fact, the most I can say is that I am a veteran of many a war movie. But Hacksaw Ridge, just like the Pacific campaign in World War II, is a whole ‘nother (movie) theater of war. What makes it different is that its real-life hero, Desmond Doss, is a conscientious objector (“I like to think of myself as more of a conscientious cooperator,” he tells his commanding officer) and feels bound by God never to touch a weapon. Doss is a patriot who takes the … [Read more...]