I wish I wrote it. But, as I didn’t, I sure am glad I read it. “The oxygen of truth or the dephlogistication of the Resurrection” by one of the most interesting Unitarian theologians writing today. Rich, rich… Read more

I’ve built a grass hut where there’s nothing of value.After eating, I relax and enjoy a nap.When it was completed, fresh weeds appeared.Now it’s been lived in – covered by weeds. The person in the hut lives here calmly,Not stuck to inside, outside, or in between.Places worldly people live, he doesn’t live.Realms worldly people love, he doesn’t love. Though the hut is small, it includes the entire world.In ten square feet, an old man illumines forms and their nature.A Great... Read more

Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Churches By Anthony B. Robinson (Written for his United Church of Christ denomination, but many others, including me, see wisdom for our various denominations in Tony Robinson’s exploration of how we can and too often do go wrong…) 1. Elevate mediocrity to a spiritual discipline. Figure out where average falls and aim below there. Doing things with excellence, joy and flair may make someone uncomfortable. God doesn’t really expect much anyhow. 2. Take no risks.... Read more

If he were acknowledged as a saint in the Roman calendar today would be the feast of Oscar Romero. On this day in 1980 the Archbishop of San Salvador following several years of tension where he denounced the right wing death squads within the context of defending the rights of workers in El Salvador, while celebrating mass he was shot through the heart. The irony was lost on few. Read more

Among the many stories within the Easter story one that continues to hold my attention is that of Peter’s denial of Jesus. After several significant encounters, after turning over the tables of the money-changers, after gathering together for a special meal, probably the Passover feast, after the betrayal to the authorities and Jesus’ arrest, when the disciples scattered in confusion and fear, Peter, one of his closest disciples had his own telling encounter. When the awfulness ahead was only a... Read more

Today, March 23, 2008, is Easter Sunday. And before the day is out I hope to post a thought or two on that subject. Of course Easter is a movable feast and therefore floats about the calendar. This day, March the 23rd, is also by my calculations the two hundred, thirty-third anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous speech, “Give me Liberty, or Give me Death,” one of the foundation documents of the American nation. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death... Read more

I notice that today is William Shatner’s birthday. While I missed the first season of Star Trek, the show he is most closely associated with, I followed the subsequent two seasons, joining the rather long list of fans for what would become quite a franchise. I must admit I also am among those who lost interest well before the franchise played itself out. Or, seems to have played out, a quick look at a couple of website shows there continues... Read more

I’ve found myself thinking about Senator Barack Obama’s speech “A More Perfect Union.” A lot. It is the most stirring speech I’ve ever heard from a politician. Should the senator prevail and become our next president, I have little doubt this speech will become one of the signal documents of our political history. And, while I am moved to my soul by his words and the hope that it inspires, I am at the same time plummeted to the edge... Read more

http://static.videoegg.com/ted/flash/loader.swf Wisdom from a neuroanatomist… Read more

I’m sitting in the waiting room of a an imaging center in Brookline waiting for auntie to get an MRI of her knees. There’s a giant screen television blaring daytime shows, which listening to for a few minutes and then given a little thought is rather depressing. Fortunately, I found a way to piggyback onto web access and have just read the headlines at the New York Times. Where I learned that Arthur C. Clarke has died. He is probably... Read more