John 13:34 People who know me well recognize that I seldom take short cuts on important issues. I don’t go along with the crowd, intellectually, theologically, or ethically.  Thomas the doubter is one of my intellectual heroes.  I ponder the yes and the no, the theory and practice, of issues. I regularly question my beliefs,…

“A Long, Long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away”…in a time of civil war, the rebels won a victory against the evil Galactic Empire, but victory is always temporary – the fight must go on – the forces of darkness are strong and we must be brave. “A long, long time ago,” so…

Acts 2:1-21 During the Pentecost Season, the longest season of the Christian year, we celebrate God’s enlivening and unifying Spirit. We need this Spirit now more than ever.  No people have been more global than persons in the 21stcentury.  In real time, we can see photos of flames at Notre Dame, villages bombed in Yemen,…

Acts 2:1-12 “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” So begins Theodore Geisel, Dr. Suess, in his book for all ages “All the Places You’ll Go.”  It’s summer, schools out, holidays on the horizon, let’s go. It was fifty days after Easter, and the women and men who…

John 20:21-22 2 Timothy 3:14-17  Reading the Bible can be hazardous to your health. The story is told of a man who sought guidance from scripture: he believed the Holy Spirit would lead him to truth, if he just picked a few scriptures randomly from the Bible.  And so he closed his eyes, opened the Bible,…