Category: Uncategorized
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Abel’s Heart, Cain’s Offering
My reflection this week started with hearing Fr. Christopher’s sermon about Cain and Abel, and then listening to Bruce Springsteen’s “Adam raised a Cain”. Springsteen’s song acknowledges our need to explain the horrific murder; finding a cause makes us feel better – as if we are in control. It’s a common response to hearing about
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Long-Term Pandemic Effects
The pandemic has changed many church norms; both in worship and for church business meetings. I am finding that several churches prefer a Zoom call to an in-person meeting at the church. I think this is due in part to an aging church membership that does not like to drive at night. Once we got
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Of Justice, Kindness and Humility
“What does the Lord require, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8 This was the reading in my devotional. The passage is both simple and difficult. It is simple because it does not require a sermon series to unpack its meaning. There is no
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Observing the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
There are many ways to observe MLK Day. However, as we mark the day, indeed the Holy Day, there is a tangible way to connect the Rev. King’s timeless message with this moment. A financial gift to the Foundation’s Justice in Our Time Fund continues the work, if not the vision of our brother Martin
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A Christmas Gift
On Christmas Eve, a friend’s mom was lying in her bed, wracked in the pain that comes from metastatic cancer. Less than a year ago she received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. A young grandmother, she was newly retired with so much ahead of her. She fought the cancer as long as she could. Then came
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Of Nuclear Fusion & Advent
Today the Wall Street Journal had breaking news. The headline read: Nuclear-Fusion Breakthrough Accelerates Quest to Unlock Limitless Energy Source. If we can put nuclear fusion into production, this could be the answer to many of the world’s problems. Developing countries would have the energy needed to compete economically. Developed countries could walk away from
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Of Advent & Weddings
Not long ago I attended a beautiful wedding. There were obvious hours of preparation and planning. No detail was overlooked. There was a, “I can’t wait” feeling in the air. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, the engaged couple had time for “marriage prep,” to reflect, ask questions and to explore all
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When I am Weak
It was a men’s retreat. The man sharing his testimony of his life in recovery from alcohol spoke of hitting bottom and being broken. Though 15 years sober, his story was still real and raw for us sitting quietly in the room. In order for any change to take place, or for any healing to
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“And You Deserve My Service”
My wife Carol and I visited FDR’s library last week. It is well worth the drive to New York’s Hudson River Valley. During our travels, we stopped at a deli for lunch. A couple of regular customers came in behind us. The well-worn landscaping t-shirts identified their occupation. One of the workers looked to be
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For All the Saints
As All Saints Day approaches, I offer this prayer by Walter Brueggemann from his book: Prayers for a Privileged People. At Table… Flooded with Memories “Each time we come to your table, we sound the familiar memory, ‘prophets and apostles, saints and martyrs,’ all of us gather: prophets we know, who can muster righteous indignation,