I just finished a really great book that I would like to share with you, not only because it would be a great read at any time, but in the midst of this pandemic, I would almost define it as necessary. The title is The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, and…… Continue reading Read This: The Book of Joy
Category: Uncategorized
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Calling
Today in the United States we are honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., commemorating his extraordinary life and way he changed US society for the better. We have by no means realized the “dream” for which King is so famous, nor have we realized the beautiful community he envisioned, but because of the lingering power of…… Continue reading Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Calling
Easter Joy and Easter Tragedy
My Easter celebration was really wonderful this year. I lead Triduum services with John that included a fabulous Easter vigil with the participation of both college and seminary students. I always find the Great Three Days a very meaningful experience, and this year was no exception. Then, I attended a fabulous Easter morning service, with…… Continue reading Easter Joy and Easter Tragedy
Looking Back Amida
Today was my last day in Kyoto–I have been here as part of my sabbatical, just for 10 days or so. This is my second time in Kyoto, and I find that I love it just as much this time as last time (in 2012)–maybe more. It has been much hotter and more humid than…… Continue reading Looking Back Amida
Hope even for Judas
It’s Holy Week, and besides thinking about being able to eat chocolate again as soon as we start singing alleluia at the Easter Vigil, I also am thinking about Judas. I actually always think about Judas this week: Judas, the enigmatic disciple who sets the whole crucifixion in motion, and then repents so deeply and…… Continue reading Hope even for Judas
“How Beautiful is the Earth…”
One of the things that has been of greatest concern to me in the Trump presidency thus far [and I am aware plenty of folks have a long list here], is the rollback of environmental protections, and the risk this poses to all kinds of different animals and their habitats. We’re already in a…… Continue reading “How Beautiful is the Earth…”
Photo Ark, Part II
So, this is the second time I have written about the Photo Ark–the first time was back when I saw the exhibit at the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC; that was in January of 2016. Last night, there was a special on the project on TV, “Rare Creatures of the Photo Ark,” and…… Continue reading Photo Ark, Part II
The Christa Project
Yesterday, President Cooper-White and I took a group of students up to New York City to see “The Christa Project,” an exhibit that is currently at St. John of the Divine Cathedral. It was an amazing trip, and I really loved the various pieces. I want to share a few of those here, with a…… Continue reading The Christa Project
Moving Beyond Assimilation
I was listening to NPR the other day, and I heard a story about immigrants—particularly Syrian immigrants in Toledo, Ohio. [You can find the story here: http://www.npr.org/2017/01/04/508220451/in-toledo-syrian-refugees-are-welcomed-amid-a-difficult-immigration-climate%5D What really struck me was the comment of one of the interviewees, Jon Johnstone, who was described as being “suspicious of people who continue to wear headscarves and…… Continue reading Moving Beyond Assimilation
"Aren’t We Lucky?"
At the American Academy of Religion meeting last week, the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies sponsored a panel honoring the work of Jim Fredericks, pioneer in Buddhist-Christian dialogue and all-around wonderful human being. After several papers were presented, discussing various aspects of his long career, Dr. Fredericks stood up to offer a response. He took a…… Continue reading "Aren’t We Lucky?"
Happy Lutheran 