Two weeks ago I joined the ranks of people succumbed to a bug going around. I’m not sure why we call getting sick “a bug” but it did feel like an infestation. My skin got hot and prickly, my muscles began to ache as if I had been working hard, wrestling with an attacker. It … Continue reading Mark 1:40-45 – “Be Made Clean!”
Author: toddweir1
I am a progressive pastor, writer and leadership coach in Northampton, MA. I blog at Bloomingcactus about spiritual and religious issues, I also enjoy cooking, gardening and biking.
Weekend Review: The Swerve, New Christianity and Preparing for Lent
As a reader, I am a cross-trainer. I’m never happy with just one book, and often I will have four to six books in various stages of attention. (Thank God for Kindle so I don’t have to carry them all!) It should be no surprise that I don’t finish everything I read. Right now two … Continue reading Weekend Review: The Swerve, New Christianity and Preparing for Lent
Weekend Review: Newt, Unclean Spirits and Today’s Dred Scott
Translating is treacherous. The biblical term “unclean spirit” from this week’s Gospel reading is prone to our projections. What is unclean is bound by culture and perspective. We all think we know it when we see it. For example, let’s take the latest primary rants of Newt Gingrich. No, I will not argue he is … Continue reading Weekend Review: Newt, Unclean Spirits and Today’s Dred Scott
Weekend Review: Willpower, the Bible and Tea Party Jesus
I'm starting a weekly weekend feature sharing about 4-6 of the most interesting articles I have read during the week. As I put this week's ideas together I noticed a common theme regarding concerns about religious themes in the Republican primary. I have drawn on articles from Catholic, Evangelical and Progressive Christian sources, along with … Continue reading Weekend Review: Willpower, the Bible and Tea Party Jesus
For God So Loved the 1 Percent … – NYTimes.com
The concept of “one nation under God” has a noble lineage, originating in Abraham Lincoln’s hope at Gettysburg that “this nation, under God, shall not perish from the earth.” After Lincoln, however, the phrase disappeared from political discourse for decades. But it re-emerged in the mid-20th century, under a much different guise: corporate leaders and … Continue reading For God So Loved the 1 Percent … – NYTimes.com
For God So Loved the 1 Percent … – NYTimes.com
Princeton, N.J. via campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com The concept of “one nation under God” has a noble lineage, originating in Abraham Lincoln’s hope at Gettysburg that “this nation, under God, shall not perish from the earth.” After Lincoln, however, the phrase disappeared from political discourse for decades. But it re-emerged in the mid-20th century, under a much different … Continue reading For God So Loved the 1 Percent … – NYTimes.com
Happy MLK Day!
Truth comes from surprising places. The following exert comes from Phil Davis, a hedge fund trader with a social conscience. There are classic quotes, plus video and commentary worth reading today. bloomingcactus Happy Martin Luther King Day! It's Martin Luther King day so the markets are closed. It's a good day to read his … Continue reading Happy MLK Day!
“Here I Am, Lord.” – 1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]
(I'm slow this week getting a sermon out because I'm researching the career of Samuel. His entire career is speaking truth to power. What does this say to those of us who feel called to preach? I'm sharing some opening thoughts this morning and finishing up on Saturday.) Any time I don’t like my … Continue reading “Here I Am, Lord.” – 1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]
Touchdown Theology
Does that pastor really think God is sitting up in Heaven on a Barcalounger, with a beer, a bratwurst and a Bronco's jersey, handing out touchdowns? Do God and Jesus support the same team? And if not, then which team does the Holy Spirit work through? Does Mary, the sports fan, sit glued to the … Continue reading Touchdown Theology
Baptism, Mystery and Creativity
Epiphany is a time to celebrate Baptism and the creative Spirit of God, the Spirit that moved in creation in Genesis, who spoke to Jesus in baptism, and we hope moves in our lives. Do we believe in a Spirit that creates and moves in the world? How does it work? Let’s think about … Continue reading Baptism, Mystery and Creativity
With all my soul 