It has been announced: The Donald isn’t going to show up for the January 28 Republican debate because he doesn’t like Megyn Kelly and her, “I’m going to keep you accountable for your sexist remarks” questions. Trump’s got money and the power that goes with it. He has no need to be questioned about his stances by people he knows disagree with him. So he’s not going to show up and will hold a rival event of his own. I... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I’m torn between being reactive and being Christian and taking the ‘high road’. My predicament. Last night as I reviewed my Facebook News Feed, I saw a friend’s post and immediately felt compelled to post something nasty back. My friend said he should unfriend “my leftist liberal fb friends!” Further comments followed such as “they are afraid to confront me about it! LOL.” A few of his friends agreed, validating his suggestion to unfriend those that are... Read more
All our needs were met. Instructions were clear and signage was excellent. Gracious and competent attendants directed us through the gargantuan parking lot, waving us into a convenient spot. Greeters kindly showed us to waiting areas as the previous attendees streamed out. We were cheerfully ushered inside where another team of greeters took over and did whatever was needed for us to find comfort. The spacious gift shop featured t-shirts and sweaters emblazoned with a clearly professionally designed brand. We... Read more
I’m reblogging one of the most beautiful posts I’ve seen written about our dying process. This is the reason I wrote An Ordinary Death: Where Grief and Relief Hold Hands, my book on my mother’s death and our whole dying process. We’ve have just made a mess of it. Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: How does one trust this institution of marriage after a failed one? Oh, this is a short question heavy with layers of hurt, disappointment, sadness and often despair. I am genuinely sorry. Every culture essentially reinvents marriage. It’s a fluid institution and ongoing experiment. I’ve been reading recently about the history of Islam and male/female relations and marriage customs. From what I can glean, women around that time of Mohammed could and did enter and exit marriages... Read more
The repercussions are nightmarish. As we get more information about the December 31, 2015 attack by young male refugees on women in Cologne, Germany, the more disturbing the situation becomes. A short recap for those not familiar with the story: organized groups of refuges, primarily from Arab and African areas, systematically groped, robbed and raped numerous young women on that night. Unrest had already been growing in Germany because of the large numbers of refugees that the country has generously welcomed. But... Read more
She’s been living a lie and I’m deeply troubled about this even as others are cheering her on. I write of the Rev. Cynthia Meyer, a long time pastor, and her announcement to her church on Sunday, January 3, 2016. From this article, “I have been an ordained United Methodist pastor for 25 years. At last, I am choosing to serve in that role with full authenticity, as my genuine self, a woman who loves and shares my life with another woman,”... Read more
How can conservative Christians who believe that homosexuality is a sin support and show respect to their gay family members, coworkers, and friends in ways that will not compromise their personal faith? The adage, “love the sinner, hate the sin,” is blatantly offensive to those who do not believe that homosexuality is sinful. Is there a more nuanced way to look at this issue? This is one of the most complex questions I’ve been asked. It deals with the nature... Read more
I suppose it is a silly question: here in the US, we do tend to the avoirdupois body-styles. But still, it is January 4, and I feel like I’m drowning in lose-weight-now TV/Internet/print media. The pleas to support the multi-billion/lie-ridden weight loss industry surround us. “LOSE WEIGHT NOW!!!” they scream. “SPEND MONEY ON US!!!!” they holler. “WE’LL MAKE YOU THIN”” they craftily promise. The problem, of course, is that our bodies evolved to gain weight easily and lose it very,... Read more
The “do-over” represents one of the greatest longings of the human heart. Who hasn’t messed up? Who doesn’t want a fresh start, a way to forget the past and see a new, shiny, unmarred future in front of us? That’s the allure of this new year, new day. Many are awakening this morning with fresh resolve to clean up last year’s messes and to actually “do it right” this year. We are all going to get more organized, or lose... Read more
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