I read two articles this weekend that highlighted the radical nature of the Bible. In the first, “The Book Banners and I Have One Thing in Common,” Garret Keizer talks about his efforts to make banned books in his high school available and identifies the book that did radicalize him. The second, “What Russell Moore Knew” from Religious News Service led me to a National Public Radio interview with Moore. He discusses the discomfort some American Christians feel with aspects... Read more
Truth is an essential element of society in the United States. The advocacy of false information and reliance on lies has led to a deep divide in our nation. Truth is a value for most religions and is the cornerstone for most relationships in a secular sense. Every Day Reliance Citizens rely on the truth every day without thinking about it. Our cell phones keep accurate time. Most scheduled appointments occur. Food stays good to the sell date. Signing papers... Read more
The Pew Research Center recently surveyed whether people in other countries view the U.S. as more religious than other wealthy nations. This statement surprised me: “A modest share of people around the world see the United States as more religious than other wealthy nations – despite considerable evidence that it is.” Most citizens in other countries likely form their impression of American religiosity from the headlines they read. They cannot follow people as they worship nor look into their hearts.... Read more
Can thinking about Jesus’ mother, Mary of Nazareth, help women relate more closely to her? I was leaving Mass on Mothers’ Day when I overheard a woman saying that she had never been able to relate to Mary, Jesus’ mother. I started thinking about the many statues of Mary I have seen over the years. Mary is serious, draped in blue and possibly holding a cherubic Jesus in her arms. In some paintings, she looks mercifully down at “us.” She... Read more
Reading about or watching the news these days can overwhelm and frustrate me. Nevertheless, the unlikely duo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ted Lasso can help me out. Dr. King reminds me that light drives out darkness. Do you ever ask yourself these types of questions about politics in the United States? What are people thinking? Do they think at all? How can Americans believe [that]? Why do voters focus so much on [this person]? Are people really... Read more
One of my favorite escapes in Washington is Lake Chelan, which is fed by glaciers in the Cascade Mountains and extends out of the range at its base. I am blessed that our cousin lives in Manson with an unobstructed view of the lake. She and my husband grew up on the same street and were partners years ago in their dance classes. Lake Chelan differs from many lakes because it is long and narrow: 50.5 miles northwest of the... Read more
These days, I encounter God in nature primarily through walks. I may get back to biking someday, but I have never been a runner. Perhaps you too find your brain running through all your current concerns as you take a walk or exercise. At times, my brain only slows down near the end of a walk, and only then am I attentive to my surroundings. Other times, I am still ruminating about life when I return home. Walking, running, or... Read more
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