Why do we dislike each other so? The author of an article called “Bloodlust” published in The Chronicle of Higher Education states this: “The most decisive antagonisms and misunderstandings take place within a community. The history of hatred and violence is, to a surprising degree, a history of brother against brother, not brother against stranger. From Cain and Abel to the religious wars of the 16th and 17th centuries and the civil wars of our own age, it is not... Read more
Going now into the third week of Lent, I find myself face to face with the human tendency to keep our truths well hidden, both from ourselves and others. We see this taking place on an international stage as Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi continues to make pronouncements that are difficult to swallow about the situation in Libya. He asserts that he is much adored by the people of that troubled country, where he has announced, “Either I will rule you or... Read more
The hope of spring: it amazes me each year. Saturday morning, as I promised myself, I headed to the yard to begin the process of cleaning out the flower beds and see what needs to be done next. Last year, I had planted three unusual crepe myrtles, a low-growing, small variety with cascades of lavender blooms appearing in the hot weather. They didn’t do particularly well last year–fairly normal for newly planted landscape foliage, but by late fall, I wasn’t... Read more
Today, the second Saturday in Lent, I shall spend as much of the day as possible in the garden at the parsonage. I hope by late afternoon to be extremely dirty, tired, sore and with a stronger sense of the things I use to protect myself from entering the kingdom of heaven. On Sunday, I’ll be telling the story of the man who comes by darkness to talk with Jesus. I’m going to tell this through the eyes and ears... Read more
Into the second week of Lent, I find myself distracted from the time necessary to really do the important self-examination necessary for real repentance. A continued battle with severe allergic response, which exacerbates the constant problem of projects unfinished, has very much affected me plans. That, actually, I suspect, is what is making this Lenten journey even more enlightening. I have learned that a quick “I’m sorry” or a “I’ll fix this later” does absolutely nothing to bring about real... Read more
Just in case you haven’t heard this yet, this link will take you to a news story that speaks of the earthquake in Japan as having such an impact in its redistribution of land mass that speed of the earth’s spin has actually been increased. Of course, that is the invisible side of change that is also devastating Japan, washing bodies all over the shore, leaving people without food, water or shelter and exposing them to radiation. And yet I... Read more
Put yourself in this place: stretched to the limit, emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. You are tired, hungry, scared, emptied out, and are facing something huge, huge, huge. Life-changingly huge. It could be the night before an exam that will determine graduation or expulsion, a big presentation at work, a decision that will radically impact your life and the lives of those you love the most. You know the task before you will take everything you have—and there are no assurances... Read more
I was sitting outside yesterday afternoon, trying to read, still very much in the throes of this bad allergy situation that has brought about my “basketball head” response. It appears now that I’m reacting as badly to the medicine given for relief as I was to the original attack and am feeling decidedly unwell. As I sat out there, a bee began to buzz around me. I took alarm–a bee sting right now probably would do me in. I’m sensitive... Read more
You are exhausted, hungry, vulnerable, and getting ready to start what you know from the outset is going to be a difficult, if not impossible, task. You feel stretched to the limit, emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. It could be the night before a final exam, a big presentation at work, a decision that you know is going to radically impact your own life and the lives of those you love the most. You know the task before you will take... Read more
I didn’t turn on the news this morning or check any online sources, so am just now learning about the earthquake in Japan and the tsunamis to follow. Here’s a link to a NY Times article on it. Every time I hear of another natural disaster like this, my heart breaks for the devastation. Lives lost, those alive generally terrified and extremely confused, rescue operations mobilized but often delayed because major transportation channels are affected. We know of these things... Read more
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