[NOTE] This is long, but so was the original article I don’t normally address other people’s articles because it’s always like driving a car designed by a Church Board. I was asked by a friend to address this one. Recently, January 19, 2016, Fr. Dwight Longenecker wrote an article on his Patheos blog entitled “Twelve Reasons Why Progressive Christianity Will Die Out.” Before I dive into the meat [the 12 reasons] of the article, let me say that I knew... Read more
Straight is not measured in how you push people around, but on how you lift others up. Let’s be honest, pushing people around is easy, but truly going out of your way to help others is hard – even scary. Read more
Peace is not achieved with military force. No war in history has brought about a lasting peace. All wars, when ended, become fuel for the next war. Peace can only be achieved when one says, “Enough” and they put away their guns, and embrace a journey of peace. You may disagree with that, and you can – but remember, when you believe war, or military might, is the answer you are asking the wrong questions. It is when we determine peace... Read more
We should all have more questions than answers; if not, I believe, we lose the spark of faith. If we see faith as believing in things not seen, our journey should be flooded with questions. I’m of the mind that questions spark faith, move us forward, and invite more questions. Each of us should have far more questions than we do answers. Questions give life to an never ending flow of grace. Since the Age of Enlightenment [1685-1815] we faced... Read more
Christ should change you, that seems to be a given – but is it? Christ won’t change you into a republican, or a democrat, but should change you into being a little Christ; your life should be reflecting the walk of Christ, not the walk of you. If your life is not changed, is not changing, you’re not being challenged by the teachings of Christ – you are changing the teaching of Christ to meet your life, your walk, your... Read more
How you speak shows how you express your faith to others. How you speak to others, shows others your expression of the Divine. If that’s the case, if you speak ill of others, if you speak judgmental, if you speak in a way that doesn’t show compassion, what are you saying about your relationship with the Divine? When we speak, our goal should be to speak words that up-lift the heart; we should speak with a voice that expresses grace, with our arms open wide with compassion. This is... Read more
Millions of posters offer this advice, which is attributed to various advice givers. It is advice given to people who fear the end of a relationship. These words, often followed by a promise of return are meant to to give strength to the crestfallen. It says to trust in fate and give up any desire to control the person they love. Of course, phrases such as “I would do anything for him” or “I would go to the end of... Read more
Feminist deconstructionist Barbara Johnson, Harvard-based business consultant John P. Kotter and others are credited with coining this phrase. The idea existed well before its common use in the 1980s. Suffice to say, the origin is debatable if not unknowable. The phrase suggests that change is always incremental. However, could it be that change is actually a very quick process? Is it so quick that it appears to be an event? Or, can change be an event that is long and... Read more
Circulated within Twelve Step circles, this little exercise in logic opens a door. It can speak to the person who uses being unsure as a reason or excuse for their hesitancy or procrastination. The slogan narrows the scope by focusing on what can be eliminated and provides for a completely new way of thinking. By eliminating half the equation, clarity can emerge. We can be more confident of what God does not want for us. Every possible distraction or mistake... Read more
Ben Franklin wrote these words but earlier phrases of similar intent can be found. The meaning – certainty is rare – is obvious to some. However it would be ridiculous to others who would be quicker to quote a phrase like “it is as plain as the nose on your face.” Franklin was writing to a friend, excited about the stability he hoped the newly signed United States Constitution would bring. What makes the words even more profound is that... Read more
The Naked Jesus
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