Is it just me, or does it increasingly seem many people are living in an alternate reality? People of all political stripes seemingly ignore irrefutable facts, and make up their own truths. This new cultural habit of ignoring facts en…
Requiem for the ‘cut’: Finding connections in a gentrifying neighborhood
Tony disappears behind the abandoned house at the curve, and he doesn’t reappear for a while. Another fellow follows him a couple minutes later, and also stays gone. In fact, he never reappears. Must be trouble, one assumes, given all…
Finding the courage to live into the new year
We’re just over a week in to the new year and based on my Facebook feed all the resolutions that were made just nine days ago are facing some pretty big uphill obstacles — at least the ones that haven’t…
We know, but sometimes we wonder
We knew about a week ago that it might snow this past weekend, but ministers have to be in denial about it at least until Saturday afternoon. During the senior adult luncheon last Tuesday when the mere possibility of snow…
The greatest challenge your pastor will face in 2017
Pastors across America will face a common challenge in 2017, and it could be you. Not that you’re a bad person or mean. But the greatest challenge for your pastor in this new year could be you — if you…
‘Give the King your justice, O God’
“Give the King your justice, O God,” the Psalmist writes to begin the 72nd chapter — the lectionary text for this day of Epiphany, Jan. 6, 2017. “That he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice. ……
What Martin might say to us in a troubled time
It is the first week of January and I must admit to you that I have been dreading the coming moments for a few months. Back in early November, I assumed, like many others that these fears — fears about…
The new banana republic
The 20th century has been defined by the rise of the U.S. Empire. President Theodore Roosevelt introduced “gun boat diplomacy” and “speaking softly but carrying a big stick,” policies which laid the foundation for the development of today’s multinational corporations….
An increase in exercise — and an increase in obesity?
I have to admit that I am slightly obsessed with counting my steps on my FitBit. My sons talked me into getting one under the premise that I could “friend” people who also have them, and we could “encourage” each…
Zero G, and I feel fine
The recent passing of astronaut John Glenn has revived interest in our country’s early space flights. I remember as an elementary student being herded into our school library so we could all watch this brave man in an oversized tin…
Believing despite grievous suffering
Carnage surrounds the birth of the child Jesus. All was not peace and good will. The Gospel reading for the first Sunday following Christmas recounts the fury of Herod and his order to kill all male children who were 2…
The visit of the Magi: What those outside our faith still bring to it
Growing up, my favorite part of the Christmas story was always the wise men and their star-lit pursuit of the baby Jesus. It may have been because they always had the best costumes in Christmas pageants, with their elaborate sateen…