Blog
Vogelfrei: Stop the Tyranny of Declaring People “Fair Game”
There is a tyranny at work in our land that does not secure human rights, but takes them away. It strips people of respect and rights and declares them vogelfrei or free as a bird to be shot and killed with impunity. We cannot allow this tyranny to make fair game of any among us. To protest this tyranny is the true Christian and American way.
Thanksgiving Thoughts of Migrants and Locals
Marco Rubio and the Trump administration want other nations to follow suit and prevent migrants from disruption of social cohesion. But our ancestors were the disruptive migrants. As Christians we must repent of and resist stereotypes that hide our guilt and falsely blame newcomers. There is always cost involved in welcoming others, but the cost is always worth it.
Herding Mess, Church Mess, and the Need of Training
Lack of training and listening leads to a mess in gathering sheep into a trailer so they can be fed and sheltered. This mirrors the messes we have in church and in our political world—all because we don’t train and listen.
In Touch with God through Hunger and Thirst
To stay in touch with God I must stay in touch with my hungering and thirsting for God’s universal and unconditional affirmation.
In Praise of Honest Dogs— In Hope of an Honest President
Our dog Max shows how to be honest. He doesn’t cover his weaknesses by taking cheap shots at the sheep. He moves them to clean water and better grazing.
Are You a Christian and Approve of Trump? Please Read This!
If you identify as a Christian please consider that Trump may be using God rather than loving God. Please consider that deporting immigrants without due process is the antithesis of God’s 52 commandments to protect vulnerable aliens with the law.
Max’s Greatest Obsession
First day of 2025 for grazing sheep at Heatherhope. Max obsesses on retrieving tennis balls, but even more on herding sheep—something we can all learn from to develop a focus on prayer.
I Must Know God through Love
Mourning doves know God the way all creatures must, through love. While words fail, love settles peacefully within and among us.
Thank You God for Dogs and Their People
After years away from herding trials, lots of dogs and their people because of life changes and Covid, I returned to find the hugs and sharing of stories to be life-giving.
Butterfly Milkweed: Blessing or Curse?
Butterfly milkweed, now gracing prairie restoration plots at Heatherhope, can poison or heal. They are a sign that to read the “Book of Nature” to learn of God’s blessings takes the eyes of faith.
Expect the Spirit of Truth
Cults, conspiracy theories, and artificial intelligence share the markers of partial truth, dressed up with fake love, and failing to be human or humane. The Spirit of Truth that Jesus promises and we can expect, is trustworthy, abiding, ultimate, and empowers us to do impossible things.
After BBB: Don’t Let Disillusionment Lead to Surrender of the Center
We need the Spirit to keep the prophetic flame alight. We cannot let disillusionment in the face of MAGA disruption of our institutions stop us from thinking anew and using our imaginations for the common good.
Dump The Kingmakers
Dump Trump who wants to be king. But start now by dumping those who make him a king by abdicating their own responsibility for our democracy.
Quiet Power is Soulful, Not Soft
Yes, Michael Posner, Trump is trashing the most precious power of the U.S. But this power isn’t “soft.” It is strong and soulful.
Tearful Farewell (for now) to Betty
Betty was the boss of the sheep and of our hearts. It hurts to say farewell, but just for now. We can see her working hard keeping the flocks in line in God’s good heaven.
Quiet Power
Mirk and other Border Collies have taught me the value of quiet power—power that is disciplined and respectful of others.
The Joy of Co-Creation
A young man on our tractor shows the rightful joy of creation. People who get dirty and build things are creators, not billionaires who lay off people to cut costs to enrich themselves. God invites us all to join in the joy of creating rather than destroying.
Protect Institutions of Pluralism
Pluralism, the belief that the coexistence and even cooperation of people with different backgrounds and ideas is good for society, needs institutions to protect it and promote it. The Trump administration aims to destroy, dilute, or distort every sacred institution of pluralism. We must fight against that agenda.
Choose the Right Fear
Bullies like Donald Trump manufacture false enemies. That’s what he was doing with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. If we follow Trump in fearing false enemies and ignoring true ones, we will betray our trust in God and our nation.