(Click the image for an extraordinary closeup) Georges Trubert (French, active Provence, France 1469 – 1508) Initial J: Saint John the Evangelist, about 1480 – 1490, Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold and silver paint, and ink on parchment Leaf: 11.4 × 8.6 cm (4 1/2 × 3 3/8 in.) The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles Read more
I recently saw a comment online that said Jesus wouldn’t help people in need – that he would help people to help themselves. Just another example of the damage some so-called, self-described Christians do in the name of Jesus — a Jesus of their own invention. The only miracle Jesus performs in all four Gospels is feeding hungry people in need. (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15) Jesus didn’t ask them if they could afford to buy... Read more
We have a handmade pottery pitcher we use to water plants and add water to the fish tanks or the dog’s bowl. The unique triangle spout design allows for a steady yet controlled flow of water. But we have to pour at the pitcher’s pace. If we rush, the water overflows the spout. The pitcher forces us to be thoughtful and intentional. We must take our time and focus on the stream of water. A mere thirty seconds and the... Read more
Have you heard James Taylor’s Fire and Rain? Of course you have. Everyone has. The first verse is about the suicide of his friend Suzanne Schnerr. The second verse is about him kicking his heroin addiction, and the third verse is about the end of his band, “James Taylor and the Flying Machine.” The line isn’t about an airplane crash. There is much pain and suffering in the song, which makes it easy for people to connect with. We all... Read more
Sermon for Dec. 31, 2017 For audio of the sermon, listen here: From the Lectionary for Jan. 1. 2018 Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3:3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build... Read more
As sure as Christmas means Santa and gingerbread, someone asks about the “virgin birth.” Some Christians find value in the Biblical birth narrative. Some demand belief in the Virgin Mary or belief in the scriptures that give us the Christmas story of a babe born in a manger. But early Christians weren’t as concerned with the birth of Jesus, as they were concerned with the death and resurrection of Jesus. The story of Jesus’ birth is in only two of... Read more
A seven-branched menorah symbolizes Jewish Temple tradition. The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah is lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah. A new branch is lit on each night of Hanukkah. In the ancient story, when the Maccabean revolt led to the restoration of the Temple, there was only enough oil to light the lamp for a night. But in miraculous fashion, each evening enough oil remained for another night. And then another, and finally enough oil for eight nights. The ninth... Read more
Kiel, Germany, December, 1931. Rachel Posner, the Rabbi’s wife, took this photo in her living room, across the street from the Nazi headquarters. It was the last night of Hanukkah. Hate, vitriol and racist lies were sweeping across Germany. Rachel wrote upon the back of the photo: “Chanukah, 5692. ‘Judea dies’, thus says the banner. ‘Judea will live forever’, thus respond the lights.” Rabbi Posner recognized the dangers of the Nazis, and encouraged any Jewish people who would listen that... Read more
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