I’m not much of a fan for dressing up on Halloween, but I love to watch. I am a fan of the psychologist Carl Jung, who spoke to the power of the myths we live by, and the shadow selves that we bury deep inside, yet they slip out and become public when we least … Continue reading Isaiah 25:6-9, John 11:32-44 for All Saints’ Day – “The Shroud Lifted”
Election Thoughts – Christians Need to Speak with Distinctive Voice
Iwill be glad when this election is over, not because I hate politics, but because I am politically passionate. I am a news junkie and the internet is a dangerous, time-sucking place for me. I grew up in Iowa and I thought it was normal to meet Presidential candidates. My mother has shaken hands with every Democrat … Continue reading Election Thoughts – Christians Need to Speak with Distinctive Voice
Job 38:1-41 – From the Whirlwind
Updated with new thoughts on Thursday, October 18, 2012 "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 2“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me." I like order and find security in my routines. I like to … Continue reading Job 38:1-41 – From the Whirlwind
Clearing the Tumbleweeds
Lately Bloomingcactus has been more like tumble weeds. Last week I surveyed my blog site and found the weeds had grown on it. Spam was everywhere. Apparently advertisers seem to think I have the perfect site to sell mail order psychotropic drugs, pain medications, knock-off purses and watches, and various accoutrements to improve your sex … Continue reading Clearing the Tumbleweeds
I Kings 19:4-8 “Angel’s Bread”
“Please leave me alone. I just want to lie down and die.” If I visited someone in the hospital who said these words, I would think they are suffering from major depression or trauma or both. Like many people who are in need of care, healing and love, Elijah rejects help. He would rather go … Continue reading I Kings 19:4-8 “Angel’s Bread”
Dr. Faheem Younus: Amid Sikh Temple Shooting Tragedy, a Triumph of American Values
This is the most inspiring quote from the article from Dr. Younus: What, then, keeps the American minorities so committed to the United States? The answer lies in the wounds of the police officers recuperating in Wisconsin's hospitals. American minorities are cognizant that no matter how much hate the bigots spew and no matter how … Continue reading Dr. Faheem Younus: Amid Sikh Temple Shooting Tragedy, a Triumph of American Values
John 6:24-35 “The Bread of Life”
Bread gets a bad rap. It’s the carbohydrate’s fault. Our daily bread sustained humanity for centuries, but now, sadly, it has too many “carbs” for our more sedentary ways. Please, dear God, do not give me my daily bread or I shall roll quickly to the Valley of the Shadow of Death. My old breakfast … Continue reading John 6:24-35 “The Bread of Life”
John 6:1-15 “Sharing Our Bread”
Take a moment with me and step into this scene. You are now a first century Galilean. Its pay day so you stop and buy a few barley loaves and while you are at the fish market, you hear the growing fame of Jesus, the carpenter from Nazereth, who confounds the Pharisees with unconventional but … Continue reading John 6:1-15 “Sharing Our Bread”
Mark 6:14:29 “Herod’s Kingdom”
This is my first sermon at First Churches, Northampton. I hope to be a regular writer again now that I have settled at a full-time church position. Today we begin a holy conversation. That may not be apparent since I am the one with the microphone and doing all the talking. However, preaching should … Continue reading Mark 6:14:29 “Herod’s Kingdom”
Zombie Religious Freedom
Talaag Elbayomy, a recent Muslim immigrant to the United States, was watching a Halloween parade in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania with his nine-year-old son. Suddenly he saw a person dressed as Mohammed, but as a zombie. Since depictions of Mohammed are against the law in his country, he believed it was his duty to stop this blaspheme, … Continue reading Zombie Religious Freedom
With all my soul 