It’s a good day for women. And, in general, it’s about time women had a good day around here. A couple of weeks ago, Trump took to his favorite social media venue to share that he was “probably” going to be chosen as Time Magazine’s person of the year, but had to turn it down… because, you know, all those pesky cameras. He does hate publicity. Anyway. Not only was he wrong, he was wrong in epic, ironic fashion. Because... Read more
So, happy Advent, everyone! What should we talk about today? The fact that the President just officially endorsed a pedophile for a major political office, AND backed up the endorsement with RNC funding? Or the news that he just took another swing at National Parks and Monuments, endangering sacred spaces and contributing to the overall destruction of the earth? December has a theme this year, and it is rage. I’m sure there will be some fresh outrage tomorrow. And probably... Read more
Let justice trickle down like a leaky faucet… Praise God from whom all blessings trickle down, like a glacier slowly melting in a climate crisis… God’s blessings trickle down in increments, once the wealthy have sufficiently boosted the economy by saving their own asses again… Peace is trickling down like an unenthusiastic river… And water will trickle through the desert like it hasn’t rained in years, because it actually hasn’t, so what did you expect? And Jesus said, “I am... Read more
Bill Cosby. Louis C.K. Billy Bush. Harvey Weinstein. Charlie Rose. Matt Lauer. They’re dropping like flies. The entertainers, the storytellers, the interviewers… As more women feel empowered to tell their stories of sexual harassment and assault, the walls of protection around these powerful men are crumbling. And that’s fine. Burn this shit down, you know? Let them all feel the shame that women have carried as their own misplaced burden for so many years. And yet. As we start to put... Read more
I am fundamentally opposed to Black Friday shopping. For many reasons, not the least of which is that it encroaches on one of my very favorite holidays–Pie For Breakfast Friday. I mean, wouldn’t you rather be home in your sweats having a slice of leftover pecan with your coffee than fighting to the death over half-priced electronics that will be broken by February?? Not even a question. I can get down with Shop Local Saturday. I can even stomach Cyber... Read more
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. It’s probably one of the most comforting (and often-cited) verses in scripture: This year, we get a rare extra Sunday between Thanksgiving and the beginning of Advent. I’m going to use this “bonus” Sunday to remind my church folks of this good word from Jeremiah. We’re going to let its goodness and promise... Read more
A stewardship sermon on Luke 16:1-13. The Parable of the Dishonest Manager 16 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that... Read more
Do not go gentle into that good night… Rage, rage against the dying of the light.* There might have been a motive, they say. His mother-in-law goes to that church, they’re telling us now. He’d threatened her before, the story goes. So we have located a reason. So now we all breathe a little deeper, sleep a little more soundly, call our Representatives a little less frantically… Because we were not them/they/there. It wasn’t us. All will be well. You... Read more
Thanks to my friend Danny Gulden for this guest thoughts, as we mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation this week. It’s the beginning of the next 500 years for the Protestant Church. The first 500 really flew by didn’t they? A lot changed over those first 500 years, beginning with Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the door. I don’t have 95 things, but I do have a few I would like to see change in the... Read more
Yesterday, a young woman walked into my office for new member class. I’d never met her before. Usually, folks who show up for this class have already been to church a few times and I’ve at least crossed paths and been introduced to them. But she was brand new. In this class–which I call a class, but is really just a small group opportunity to learn more about the church–I always ask people to introduce themselves and share something about... Read more
Irreverin
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In