All Posts By

Steve Mathonnet-VanderWell

What Do You Want on Your Gravestone?

LOGOS • GRAPHICS • IDENTITY • & • MEANING I’m in cemeteries frequently and I’ve noticed a trend. Headstones decorated with little emblems or graphics, things that were important

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Worship in Tumultuous Times

It was on a Saturday, August 12. The news out of Charlottesville, Virginia went from bad to worse. From the “Unite the Right” rally itself

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Stephen Colbert: Public Theologian

Probably no single person has gained more from Donald Trump’s surprising victory in last November’s election than Stephen Colbert. And unlike white supremacists, Trump resorts,

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Making Peace with Patriotism

Patriotism comes easily to people. We all innately like and appreciate the place we are from. Contrary to voices we often hear, patriotism doesn’t need

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Have I Done Enough?

The gentle, old saint, with less than 48 hours to live, whispered to me, “I just wonder if I have done enough?” The question made

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Doctor! Doctor!

Congratulations to all the graduates this time of year—pre-school and high school, bachelors and doctorates. I want to talk especially to those ministers with doctorates—both

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The Crucifix of Rocky Figueroa

Rocky Figueroa was the coolest guy in my junior high. He had long, shiny black hair. His body was developed and muscular when most of

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