Our unity is not based upon belief. It cannot be. Unity is something already achieved. It is a present reality. So it is not something we endeavour to create. It is something we endeavour to protect, nourish and enjoy. Right now I am teaching a class of international students. We are Saudi, Japanese, Canadian, Mongolian, Kazakh, and Chinese. We are Muslim, Christian, Atheist, Shinto Buddhist, and Other. Yet we enjoy a remarkable sense of unity that is deeper than and... Read more
Sometimes we can think very critically about certain things and comprehend very complex issues. But then when it comes to something like this, we sometimes can tend to think very superficially and simplistically. I’ve been in relationship with so many people in trouble, and I’ve been there myself more than once. It’s never as simple as it looks. We can’t point to all those on the street and say they are lazy trouble makers. It’s not as simple as just... Read more
(click on image to enlarge it) Sexual harassment is all in the news these days. It’s amazing what men can get away with for so long. Actually, it’s amazing what those in authority can get away with for so long. Sometimes I wonder if things will ever change. They must. But will they? Download my cartoon ebook, –> click here! <– Check out my originals and prints of my art, cartoons and Sophia drawings. Or get the paperback from Amazon: Read more
Magical thinking is rampant. Religion is its favorite culture. Have you read The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion? An incredible read! Her husband suddenly died and she noticed that for a year her mind played tricks on her. She discerned that the mind would think magically to buffer the intensity of loss and grief. We do the same spiritually. We allow our minds to play tricks on us. We think magically. Why? To separate us from painful realities... Read more
In keeping with this morning’s cartoon, “afloat”, I thought I would share this tender cartoon from years ago called “Someone Cares”. When the bible says that we weep when others weep, implied in that is that there is comfort when we know we do not weep alone, that we are not sad in isolation. Job’s friends had it right for the first few days when they just sat with him overcome with a shared sorrow. Then they had to go... Read more
I finally painted this last night. I have a strategy for sadness that I want to share with you. There are times I just let myself feel all the sorrow. I let myself cry. I have experienced a lot of painful things and there’s no use denying it. And I watch many people go through so much suffering. I allow my body to feel the full impact of the weight of grief. And I weep. To deny it only strengthens... Read more
This one makes me chuckle. It’s about 5 years old. Obviously it is inspired by the kind of theology that says love is violent and that God, out of love, exacts pain and torture upon his people. We seriously have to ask ourselves: what came first… the theology or our ideology? Was it revealed first that God burns the wicked? Or was it that we hated those we considered wicked and decided God should burn them? This is a serious... Read more
When Jesus taught about forgiving someone who has hurt you 7 times a day, the disciples said, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17) because they knew it was an impossible challenge he put before them. He then said that having faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to move mountains into the sea. This is not about performing physical miracles. Rather, it is about how we can create new miraculous realities. The mountains represent offense. With just a little... Read more
Lisa wears this shirt all the time. Not literally, but “metaphorically”, if you get my meaning. We “know” each other, biblically speaking. Anyway, I digress. Here’s a great tee idea that may hit the press soon. The problem is that those who like things naked probably won’t wear it. Do nudists read fashion magazines? If you are interested in acquiring my original cartoons or prints, just email me. Download my cartoon ebook, –> click here! <– Check out my originals and... Read more
You and your god do not see eye to eye. You might like to believe that you have totally subscribed to all that is true, that you know it all, understand it all, and that you and your god share the same brain, intelligence and wisdom. But this is impossible, as your own holy writings declare. But these same holy writings also declare that you are loved nevertheless. This is where words such as love, grace, patience and kindness activate.... Read more
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