It has been awhile since I’ve posted–this summer has bee especially crazy with lots of travel: most of it for work, but a couple trips to see family as well. Right now, I am in Colorado with my mom, getting ready to celebrate her 80th birthday; and last month I was in Phoenix to visit…… Continue reading Vocation for All Ages
Recent Perversions
According to the first online dictionary that comes up with a Google Search [the extent of my research], the first definition of “perversion” is the following: “the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.” It is only the second definition that references…… Continue reading Recent Perversions
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
Lessons from an Epic Vote in Ireland
I have been thinking a lot about Ireland these past couple weeks. Did you see the news about the vote on the abortion amendment? You can see the story here: Ireland Votes to End Abortion Ban. Since 1983, Ireland has had an amendment to the Constitution that recognized equal right to life for the fetus…… Continue reading Lessons from an Epic Vote in Ireland
Happy Mothering Day
Mother’s Day is tomorrow: if you haven’t bought a card or flowers by now, you better move to plan B. I don’t know exactly what it is that makes Mother’s Day feel so different from Father’s Day, but it does–and I’m not saying that as a woman; I think it is true for most…… Continue reading Happy Mothering Day
James Cone: In Memoriam
James H. Cone passed away on Saturday, April 28th, at the age of 79. [Read a tribute here: James H. Cone dies]. Today, then, it is both a privilege and a pleasure to share some reflections in tribute. It is no exaggeration to say that Cone was one of the most significant theological voices of the…… Continue reading James Cone: In Memoriam
Commemoration & Hope in April
The first two weeks of April are filled with significant commemorations, and I’m not even talking about Easter and Passover. April 4th of this year was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. April 9th was the commemoration of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his execution by hanging at the Flossenburg concentration camp…… Continue reading Commemoration & Hope in April
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
All Buddhists are Nice People, Right?
I get alerts from The New York Times on a variety of topics, including animals, adoption, religion, and philosophy, among other things. Yesterday, this article came in my inbox, under the “philosophy” category [not religion, which in itself is interesting]: Buddhists and Violence. The article, which actually is titled “Why are We Surprised when Buddhists are Violent,”…… Continue reading All Buddhists are Nice People, Right?
Forgiveness & Accountability
If you orbit the Lutheran world, you probably have heard that United Lutheran Seminary is in the midst of a serious leadership crisis. Damaging information has come out about President Theresa Latini’s past, which in itself is problematic for some [roughly twenty years ago she was the executive director of OnebyOne, a Presbyterian anti-gay organization…… Continue reading Forgiveness & Accountability
Happy Lutheran 