Happy Lutheran

As I was reading this good editorial in the New York Times today– http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/opinion/dowd-why-god.html?hp&_r=0–it got me thinking about the “shadow side” of Christmas. Usually, we don’t talk about it very much–although frankly, this year, with the shootings in Newtown it was more on our minds than usual. But the shadow side of Christmas encompasses much more…… Continue reading Thinking about the "shadow side" of Christmas, and the Holy Innocents

One of the benefits of teaching at a seminary is that you get to hear lots of good preaching–something I never take for granted.  Yesterday in chapel, the preacher was our worship professor, Mark Oldenburg, who is one of the very best preachers I have ever heard, and one of the .01% of pastors who…… Continue reading Clenching God’s Lapels

What would you say to the idea of an imperfect God?  If you are Christian, you are probably skeptical–imperfection is NOT typically touted as an attribute of God, quite the contrary, actually.  This article is written from a Jewish perspective, and it’s interesting enough on that account alone:  what is it in Judaism that allows…… Continue reading Is there value in an Imperfect God?

I got this link from one of my students in the “Doing Theology Interreligiously” class–we are having such a great time!http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/tulsi-gabbard-hindu-congress-oath-bhagavad-gita_n_2117474.htmlThe story is about the first Hindu member of Congress, Tulsi Gabbard:  she is a Democrat from Hawaii.  The story mentions that she will be taking her oath of office on the Bhagavad-Gita, which I…… Continue reading The Oath of Office on the Bhagavad-Gita

I am very, very glad the election is over–not only because President Obama was re-elected, but also because I was very, very tired of all the negative campaign ads, and the pitting of various interest groups against another.  So, I was somewhat surprised and disappointed in this piece I read in the NY Times today:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/opinion/after-the-election-fear-is-our-only-chance-at-unity.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&ref=general&src=me,This quote in particularly…… Continue reading Uniting With, not Against

I have a very guilty, very selfish confession:  at this particular moment, I am feeling a little grateful for Hurricane Sandy.  Lest you think I am a terrible, horrible person, don’t despair entirely:  I am also very sorry for all the destruction the storm has wrought, and I am praying hard for those who are suffering and…… Continue reading Time the Avenger

Now, I am aware that few things are more divisive and explosive than politics–especially around election time. However, I am wading into these waters gently, without being polemical, simply to articulate something that I have been thinking about for the past few days.These thoughts were prompted by this Op-Ed piece in the Sunday New York…… Continue reading Why I’m a Democrat

I went to see “Queen of Versailles” last night–here’s the official site for the movie: http://www.magpictures.com/thequeenofversailles/. It’s a documentary about Jackie & David Siegel, and their attempted construction of the largest private residence in the United States, model on Versailles. I say “attempted,” because Siegel’s timeshare company–and consequently, the construction on the house–was severely impacted…… Continue reading The Queen of What Really Matters

I don’t read The Christian Century cover to cover every time, but almost every issue I find something that strikes me.  This issue, it was this short story about a woman who offered a very simple, very profound way of showing her love and care for another woman who was about to go through a…… Continue reading Tender ministry