I manage December, enter January, and each year, I think, “I did it!” I got through the slowly dying days. Soon the longer days of late winter and spring will appear. I can get my life from the sunshine, from working the dirt, from leisurely walks. One would think I would know by now that January always puts a lie to my hopes. Despite the passing of the winter solstice, the days stubbornly refuse to get longer. The clouds obscure... Read more
It never worked. Ultimately, none escaped the “noonday demons” when the fullness of their darkness would be exposed yet once more. Dear Thoughtful Pastor, Recently, I have encountered quite a few Christians who have told me that, after they were saved, living out their Christianity has been “easy.” “You just do the right thing,” they tell me. Here’s the thing: I struggle to live out my faith. I find it hard to stay committed to studying scripture. I haven’t been... Read more
I will join the January 21, 2017, Women’s March on Austin, a part of the larger Women’s March on Washington. I march not to protest a Trump presidency, no matter how distasteful I may find it. Instead, I stand in support of those who are likely to be hurt by the policies that are expected to find presidential and congressional support in the next few years. As a retired clergywoman, I enjoy freedom to speak politically in a way that... Read more
It all goes wrong for two idealistic young Portuguese priests in Martin Scorsese’s brilliant work, SILENCE. For silence is what they get from God, despite all their earnest prayers and pleadings for answers and hope. The two, Father Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Father Francisco Garrpe (Adam Driver) have heard that their mentor, Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson), may have become apostate after witnessing unrelenting torture of other priests and Christian converts from Buddhism in 17th century Japan. In the early scenes, these two... Read more
Israel is as capable of doing evil as any other nation Its laws and policies are set by humans, not God. Dear Thoughtful Pastor: What is your view on the US supporting Israel? I am often fascinated by what appears to be unqualified support given to the nation Israel as though its leaders can make no mistakes or support destructive policies. That, my friend, is simply hogwash. Israel is as capable of doing evil as any other nation Its laws... Read more
We all know the church ship is rapidly sinking. What fascinates me about the United Methodist Church is how little we seem to care. Instead, we wasted at least a generation and a massive amount of money with arguments over petty issues, and especially over petty issues that make us look like a bunch of “haters” to the wider world. We continue to ordain lots of bright-eyed, idealistic men and women. We promise them financial security with guaranteed appointments, health... Read more
These shoes have seen at least 800,000 steps since September of this year, probably more than a million steps in the two years I have owned them. I recently took them in to get new soles after I realized that I was tilting while walking on them. In September, I had my “aha” moment. It had been a summer of relative inactivity, compounded by my husband’s foot surgery and my own suddenly worsening cardiac problem. I found myself shocked by... Read more
I am republishing the article below as one example among many about the ways religion is inappropriately used to oppress women. Christianity has an equally bad track record. May 2017 be the year when women draw the firm line in concrete that says, “NO MORE.” Women’s Rights Banned By Quran, Nigerian Cleric Argues Nigeria’s most senior Muslim cleric called on Nigerian lawmakers to shun any legislation that contradicts the teachings of the Quran. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar,... Read more
We have reached the end of 2016. It seems like many found this past twelve month period unusually difficult. Think of Syrian refugees, beloved celebrity deaths, world-shocking political upheavals. I personally have friends suffering from soul-shattering health crises and even more in spiritual crisis, wondering where God is in the midst of this. As do many, I both look back and look forward at the calendar change. It is time to clean out files, drawers, and closets in preparation for... Read more
I knew nothing about FENCES when we walked in except that its connection to Denzel Washington. Nothing. Perhaps a bit of research would have helped/ Probably most of those who will see it will be like us: ordinary movie-goers, not necessarily well-versed in Broadway stage hits written by writers from the 80’s. What we saw was a fascinating, troubling, occasionally mind-numbing intimate glimpse into a black, lower-middle class family in 1950’s Pittsburg. Most of the action takes place in the... Read more
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