I want to talk a little about congregational life post-pandemic. The reality is the pandemic changed things for congregations across the world. Believers have changed too; we are not the same people we were a year ago. We are living in a new-normal. No matter where you are on your faith journey you are probably … Continue reading Entering the New Normal
Random
Giving the Beloved
https://youtu.be/iO1kSUlnLcc Hear the message that we are the Beloved of God. This is an idea that I learned from Henri Nouwen's sermons. Using Nouwen's idea, I share my own perspective on how we share that message with others. Being the beloved is not something we keep for ourselves, it is a gift we pass along … Continue reading Giving the Beloved
Plant From Hebron
Last year this plant appeared in the foyer of our church building. It is from the Hebron in Israel. When I got it I immediately thought this would be a good plant for my office, so I kept it. At first I watered it every couple of days. It was a disaster. The plant is … Continue reading Plant From Hebron
What is Purgatory
A fixation on what immediately follows death is common, I think, to people across cultures and faiths. As a child I was very concerned about the continuing existence of some family friends who passed away. I recall having vivid dreams about them, where they gathered together in the afterlife. It gave my childhood self some … Continue reading What is Purgatory
Shortsighted
As a child a friend and I hiked a mountain together. Every step was swift and hurried, to carry us past the woods and trails for the summit. Without consideration we blazed through the forest to reach the top before my friend’s parents could follow. We wanted to see it first. We wanted to see … Continue reading Shortsighted
In it Together
No person, irrespective of gender, is honored by an enforced presumption of one’s identity or ability. To the contrary, every human spirit balks at such oppression. God, the author of our souls, who made us for love and community, did not impinge our will to refuse him. He even watches, broken-heartedly, as we turn to … Continue reading In it Together
Spiritually Speaking Episode
Zoom in on the Burlington Church of Christ on Rte. 3A in Burlington and learn how this non-denominational evangelical Christian church is unique. Rabbi Abramson interviews Pastor Chais DiMaggio who will give us a tour and teach us about their faith traditions. Hear from members of the congregation about the profound nature of their faith. … Continue reading Spiritually Speaking Episode
Herod and Herodias
The story of John the Baptist's imprisonment and death is an interesting foreshadowing of what was going to happen to Jesus. John prepared the way for Jesus but he also prefigures his life. John's imprisonment, binding, and death also occur to Jesus. Still, the question of why John the Baptist was imprisoned is an interesting … Continue reading Herod and Herodias
Aliens and Strangers
Maybe it's just me, but I see a lot people in this world whose lives don’t have the comfort and convenience I am used too. If it gets chilly in my office I need only walk a few feet to turn the heat up. More importantly, no one is going to arrest me for sharing … Continue reading Aliens and Strangers
Technology Needs Philosophy and Religion
Technology Needs the Philosophical and Religious Person? As our scientific and technological global community treks forward the usefulness of philosophy and religion is called into question by atheistic scientists. Leaders such as Neil deGrasse Tyson (atheist) and John Lennox (Christian) argue back and forth on the issue. The question deepens as people like Richard Dawkins … Continue reading Technology Needs Philosophy and Religion
