Blog
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 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.
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.
Quiet Power
Mirk and other Border Collies have taught me the value of quiet power—power that is disciplined and respectful of others.
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.
Jimmy Carter and the American Character
At Heatherhope we thank God for the life of Jimmy Carter, and mourn his death.
Solstice Dawn: I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining.
Dawn after darkest day of winter solstice reminds us that light conquers darkness, and God’s love is something we can trust in.
Election Postmortem: Did Democrats Lose Because They Are Elite? Should We Speak The Truth In Love If It Annoys People?
The post-election blame game is on. And blaming Democrats for being elite popular. Condescension is wrong. But we don’t become condescending elites just by bothering others with the truth. If the truth hurts us we can grow up and learn from it. Democrats and all of us should always speak the truth in love.
Time To Do More: Reactions to Election 2024
I’m ashamed that Americans have believed lies and surrendered to tactics of fear and hate. But now is the time to do more to protect the vulnerable and awaken America to it’s better angels.
God Made Twilight Too
Sunset on September 17, 2024, reminds us that God made twilight, not just day and night. Perhaps is telling us something through the ordered disorder of nature.
First Reactions to Harris Trump Debate
Kamala Harris was extremely successful debating Donald Trump. I would only urge her and her campaign to point out how destructive anti-immigrant lies are to real human beings, and to clearly name Trump's worldview as pure fantasy that poses a great threat to the nation.
Dump the Dysfunctional Republican Party
Democrats proved to be the functional party by quickly persuading Biden to drop out of this year's presidential race. Republicans showed themselves dysfunctional by failing, for ten years, to renounce the infantile and anti-democratic ways of Donald Trump.
Woke on the Farm
Being woke isn't bad. It opens us to what nature and nature's God are telling us. We need each other, and we need the beautiful balance of Creation.