The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun, c. 1805. William Blake
A great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and …
Texts of Terror: Monster Theory in Our Sacred Stories
Jakob Topper
Each year I consider doing a sermon series in October based on Phyllis Trible’s book Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives.
Each year I imagine reading these stories in a room with Kindergartners, and …
A man I admire from my childhood is on the board of a conservative Christian school that his grandkids attend. Recently, he told me a story about a scandal at the school.
A teacher asked one …
On December 16, 2004, a NorthHaven Church Task Force met at the Presbyterian church to present the findings of their visioning study. Long before NorthHaven owned any property, designed a building, or moved into its …
2021 was the first year since you called me to NorthHaven Church as your pastor that we didn’t have a stewardship sermon series in the Fall. In the year when our financial challenges are the …
Nearly two decades ago a group of moderate and progressive Baptist dreamers gathered to pray about the future of the Church in Norman, Oklahoma. They dared to let themselves envision a church without divided loyalties, …
“NOOOO!!!”
Fear rolled over me as I spun my head around and searched the back seat of my car for the source of mortal terror.
In the back seat, Hadley screamed like a snake crawled into the …
Last week I posted on Facebook asking y’all to bring coats for adults in need and to donate money so that we can buy new, modest coats for kids in need. A mother from OKC …
One question I (Jakob) started asking people when they come to NorthHaven for benevolence needs is where they go to church. For a long time I neglected to ask, because I didn’t want to come …
In his ministry, Jesus often acts in such a way to humble the wise while also giving dignity to the lowly. He scolds the Pharisees and the rulers of the day, yet speaks graciously with …
Foster care is near and dear to our heart at NorthHaven.
Last week I was contacted by a NorthHaven member who knew a foster family struggling to make ends meet at the beginning of the school …
July-September is always a busy benevolence season. Children go back to school and extra expenses ensue.
Some people spend all of their flexible income on back to school supplies and clothes for their kids and then …