Sermons on iTunes, the Blog, and Everywhere
Feb/10/2009 04:48 PM
My amazing new laptop is allowing me to try out all
sorts of new things. Among them, podcasting.
We're pleased to announce that Northaven now has podcasts of our sermons at iTunes and up at the Northaven website.
Still working on the actual design so that it looks nice and beautiful on the Northaven site. But the podcast feed will basically replace the old "Sermons" page at the Northaven site. You can find that here.
It's also live on iTunes, at the iTunes store. So, if you've got an iPod and have been itching to get our sermons as iTunes podcast, knock yourself out by going here.
(If you've gone a non-iPod devise, or just listen to rss audio feeds some other way, you can "subscribe" at that first link I gave...)
The cool thing about an podcast feed, of course, is that you can import it to just about anywhere. So, I've put it here on the blog too. Just scroll down the righthand navigational window, till you find the box that says "Sermons."
You should be able to listen in there too, if like, without ever leaving this page.
Hope you enjoy all this. We'll announce this to the greater Northaven community sometime later this week, when we're done making the web-version look pretty.
We're pleased to announce that Northaven now has podcasts of our sermons at iTunes and up at the Northaven website.
Still working on the actual design so that it looks nice and beautiful on the Northaven site. But the podcast feed will basically replace the old "Sermons" page at the Northaven site. You can find that here.
It's also live on iTunes, at the iTunes store. So, if you've got an iPod and have been itching to get our sermons as iTunes podcast, knock yourself out by going here.
(If you've gone a non-iPod devise, or just listen to rss audio feeds some other way, you can "subscribe" at that first link I gave...)
The cool thing about an podcast feed, of course, is that you can import it to just about anywhere. So, I've put it here on the blog too. Just scroll down the righthand navigational window, till you find the box that says "Sermons."
You should be able to listen in there too, if like, without ever leaving this page.
Hope you enjoy all this. We'll announce this to the greater Northaven community sometime later this week, when we're done making the web-version look pretty.
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Why Is Apology So Strange?
Feb/04/2009 06:09 PM
"I screwed up."
No, I didn't really screw up. At least, not in any way that I believe I owe you all an apology.
It's an expression. It's something many of us say every day.
Learning to apologize is a key value of a mature adult human being. But to hear the screaming headlines in this morning's papers, you would think President Obama saying "I screwed up" was the most horrible admission a President could ever make.
(Read the rest. Click here)
No, I didn't really screw up. At least, not in any way that I believe I owe you all an apology.
It's an expression. It's something many of us say every day.
Learning to apologize is a key value of a mature adult human being. But to hear the screaming headlines in this morning's papers, you would think President Obama saying "I screwed up" was the most horrible admission a President could ever make.
(Read the rest. Click here)
Warren-less Wiretap
Jan/27/2009 11:16 PM
It’s sleeting outside and very cold.
We’ve got a fire in the hearth, and are
assuming that, at the very least life will be delayed
a few hours tomorrow morning. The dogs are grateful
for their position under the kitchen table, and we
had a nice night of turkey chili and Merlot.
The perfect time for some blogging. So, just a few thoughts about Rick Warren. (Read the rest. Click here)
The perfect time for some blogging. So, just a few thoughts about Rick Warren. (Read the rest. Click here)
A Prayer for Inauguration Day from Bishop Gene Robinson
Jan/20/2009 08:12 AM
Thanks to
Pastor Dan
at Street Prophets for the heads up on this video and
text.
Below is the prayer of Bishop Gene Robinson, at the beginning of the "We Are One" concert on the Mall in Washington. (Blogged about yesterday, here) Apparently, the prayer has become somewhat controversial, in that the Inaugural Committee chose to not run it as a part of the HBO special.
Shame.
Because it was a great prayer for that day...and for this one.... (Read the rest. Click here)
Below is the prayer of Bishop Gene Robinson, at the beginning of the "We Are One" concert on the Mall in Washington. (Blogged about yesterday, here) Apparently, the prayer has become somewhat controversial, in that the Inaugural Committee chose to not run it as a part of the HBO special.
Shame.
Because it was a great prayer for that day...and for this one.... (Read the rest. Click here)
Like You and Like I (A Christmas Meditation)
Dec/21/2008 10:24 PM
I didn't think I'd get a Christmas devotional done
this year. But it looks like I did. You can hear most
of this in audio form by clicking
here.
You can read it by just continuing below. Hope
you're having a blessed holiday...
(Read the rest. Click here)
(Read the rest. Click here)
Northaven Staff Advent Liturgical Dance
Dec/12/2008 07:19 AM
Never let it be said that my staff does not have a
sense of humor...
You may not realize this, but our hard-working Northaven staff has been busy perfecting our first ever musical dance number.
After weeks of practice, we've polished very move, hired a professional director, and cut our first Northaven Staff Music Video.
So, what follows is the World Premier of the "Northaven Staff Advent Liturgical Dance," sent to you with our sincere love, gratitude, and the hope for more smiles throughout these holidays.
(Read the rest. Click here)
You may not realize this, but our hard-working Northaven staff has been busy perfecting our first ever musical dance number.
After weeks of practice, we've polished very move, hired a professional director, and cut our first Northaven Staff Music Video.
So, what follows is the World Premier of the "Northaven Staff Advent Liturgical Dance," sent to you with our sincere love, gratitude, and the hope for more smiles throughout these holidays.
(Read the rest. Click here)
A Prayer for President-Elect Obama
Nov/06/2008 09:31 AM
Ross Wise is a friend of mine. He and wife Sharon
live in the beautiful East Texas town of Gilmer. I
know Ross because he's a Kerrvert...and even more
intimately than that, he's a "Nasbillian" like me.
But, unlike me, Ross is a Baptist and a Republican. That's why this prayer he's written captured my attention. And I liked it so much, I thought that it worthy to pass along to you too.
(Read the rest. Click here)
But, unlike me, Ross is a Baptist and a Republican. That's why this prayer he's written captured my attention. And I liked it so much, I thought that it worthy to pass along to you too.
(Read the rest. Click here)
How Jan Sanders Spent All Saints Sunday
Nov/02/2008 11:01 PM
Jan Sanders the widow of Judge Barefoot Sanders.
Barefoot, as many of you will recall, is the
legendary Federal Judge from here in Dallas who died
about a month ago. Northaven has been Jan and
Barefoot's spiritual home for more than three
decades, as they have raised their family and served
the community, and we were honored to host his
memorial service.
I told this story this morning in church, and because everybody at Northaven Church knows Jan, it got applause. Which makes me think that even though it's late on All Saints Sunday, it might be inspiring for others to hear it too.
(Read the rest. Click here)
I told this story this morning in church, and because everybody at Northaven Church knows Jan, it got applause. Which makes me think that even though it's late on All Saints Sunday, it might be inspiring for others to hear it too.
(Read the rest. Click here)
Universal health coverage should be the federal government’s responsibility
Oct/17/2008 10:33 AM
This blog is about health care. But it could just as
easily be about the financial crisis, the war, the
environment, education, or any number of social
issues before us today. Because, to my mind, there is
a great confluence among the issues of our day. You
can analyze them through the same lens and come to
the same conclusion each time.
And that conclusion is this: we need change.
And my own personal conviction is: I believe we need change because of what I believe about God.
The title of the blog comes from an episode of a great new NPR show called "Intelligence Squared." The show originally comes from England. Participants engage in an "Oxford Style Debate," for and against a particular motion. Three speakers "for," and three speakers "against."
I picked health care because:
1) It's on a LOT of people's minds, and
2) Because Dr. Kellermann's essay is so good.
What follows after the jump is the speech by Dr. Art Kellermann from that program, and a long essay by me written just this morning. (Read the rest. Click here)
And that conclusion is this: we need change.
And my own personal conviction is: I believe we need change because of what I believe about God.
The title of the blog comes from an episode of a great new NPR show called "Intelligence Squared." The show originally comes from England. Participants engage in an "Oxford Style Debate," for and against a particular motion. Three speakers "for," and three speakers "against."
I picked health care because:
1) It's on a LOT of people's minds, and
2) Because Dr. Kellermann's essay is so good.
What follows after the jump is the speech by Dr. Art Kellermann from that program, and a long essay by me written just this morning. (Read the rest. Click here)
A Photo History of Community Organizers
Sep/06/2008 07:15 PM
Wow. The repost of
my
little blog,
expanding on Jim Wallis' original ideas, has been
burning up the wires over at DailyKos this
afternoon. It spent a better part of the afternoon
as the top "recommended" journal, and is on the
way to having 400 comments.
Wow. This issue clearly touches a button. I certainly do not agree with every comment, and find some of them offensive in language and tone. But it's interesting to see the passion there. Take a look.
I think this "dissing" of Community Organizers and their "responsibilities" is going to backfire...but that's my hunch.
In the midst of the many comments was one from Beverly, about her own diary, entitled "A Photo History of Community Organizers."
It's worth a quick read. Or, enjoy the video version beyond the jump, which has the benefit of a sweet U2 soundtrack:
(Read the rest. Click here)
Wow. This issue clearly touches a button. I certainly do not agree with every comment, and find some of them offensive in language and tone. But it's interesting to see the passion there. Take a look.
I think this "dissing" of Community Organizers and their "responsibilities" is going to backfire...but that's my hunch.
In the midst of the many comments was one from Beverly, about her own diary, entitled "A Photo History of Community Organizers."
It's worth a quick read. Or, enjoy the video version beyond the jump, which has the benefit of a sweet U2 soundtrack:
(Read the rest. Click here)
Sarah Palin Owes Some Good People an Apology
Sep/06/2008 09:10 AM
I've been bothered by a snippy comment from Sarah
Palin's speech the other night, and have wanted to
write about it. But Jim Wallis beat me to it. So,
this morning, I will simply cite a few of the
highlights of his fine blog --whose title I have
borrowed as the title of this one-- and direct you to
it, in the hopes you'll read it too.
More than anything else, Palin's comments have opened up an opportunity to remind the nation of just how important "Community Organizers" have become, just how connected they are to faith communities, and just how much "responsibility" they really do shoulder for the rest of our society.
(Read the rest. Click here)
More than anything else, Palin's comments have opened up an opportunity to remind the nation of just how important "Community Organizers" have become, just how connected they are to faith communities, and just how much "responsibility" they really do shoulder for the rest of our society.
(Read the rest. Click here)
Would it be Wrong to Pray for Rain?
Sep/01/2008 05:02 PM
I posted the video that inspired this question to my
Facebook page, and it got a couple of nice comments.
So I thought I'd expand my thinking on it into a blog
entry.
The question for this blog is: Would it be wrong to pray for rain?
The answer is: it depends, I suppose.
If you're a West Texas rancher, and you're in the middle of a long drought, then it's probably an understandable petition to God.
If you're allegedly a Christian minister, and you're clearly wishing for God to, ahem, rain down judgement on your adversaries, then the answer is:
"Yes....it's wrong to pray for rain."
And I know that second example sounds crazy. But it happened just a few weeks back, when a member of "Focus on the Family" actually encouraged people to pray for rain on the night of Obama's acceptance speech.
Like I said, I had heard about this in conversation. But to see the video? It's amazing. And deserves further unpacking. (Read the rest. Click here)
The question for this blog is: Would it be wrong to pray for rain?
The answer is: it depends, I suppose.
If you're a West Texas rancher, and you're in the middle of a long drought, then it's probably an understandable petition to God.
If you're allegedly a Christian minister, and you're clearly wishing for God to, ahem, rain down judgement on your adversaries, then the answer is:
"Yes....it's wrong to pray for rain."
And I know that second example sounds crazy. But it happened just a few weeks back, when a member of "Focus on the Family" actually encouraged people to pray for rain on the night of Obama's acceptance speech.
Like I said, I had heard about this in conversation. But to see the video? It's amazing. And deserves further unpacking. (Read the rest. Click here)
Heartsick for NOLA and the Gulf Coast
Aug/31/2008 10:11 PM
I'm heartsick tonight.
Watching the ominous sight of Gustav, and knowing what I know about NOLA and all of the Gulf Coast?
It's just heartbreaking.
The past three summers, we've taken our mission trips to the Biloxi/Gulfport area. I know I speak for many in our church when I say that we've fallen in love with the people there. They have such good hearts, and are the kind of solid folks anyone would be proud to get to know.
Tonight, I am thinking about them. I am praying for all of them. And I am asking you to pray too. What I have learned in the last three years along the Gulf Coast is that everyone there has a story about the storm. Everyone. You hear stories form waitresses and hotel clerks. Tonight, I feel like sharing a few of the stories I know best, so perhaps you can put a face with your prayers. (Read the rest. Click here)
Watching the ominous sight of Gustav, and knowing what I know about NOLA and all of the Gulf Coast?
It's just heartbreaking.
The past three summers, we've taken our mission trips to the Biloxi/Gulfport area. I know I speak for many in our church when I say that we've fallen in love with the people there. They have such good hearts, and are the kind of solid folks anyone would be proud to get to know.
Tonight, I am thinking about them. I am praying for all of them. And I am asking you to pray too. What I have learned in the last three years along the Gulf Coast is that everyone there has a story about the storm. Everyone. You hear stories form waitresses and hotel clerks. Tonight, I feel like sharing a few of the stories I know best, so perhaps you can put a face with your prayers. (Read the rest. Click here)
The Long Road To Forgiveness (The Kim Phuc Story)
Jul/13/2008 04:41 PM
Every so often, I find one of the "The I Believe"
podcasts that is so compelling that I just have to
pass it along to you. That happened yesterday, as I
was driving along listening to an episode of the
great NPR series.
What came up on the iPod was the incredible story of Kim Phuc.
You have seen a picture of Kim. It was when she was nine-years-old, and running down the road between Phnom Penh and Saigon. She is naked. Her clothes have been burned off by a napalm bomb. She is crying. She is, to a generation, simply "the girl in the photograph."
She's an adult now, living in Canada with children of her own, and her essay for "This I Believe" has the enticing title of "The Long Road to Forgiveness." (Read the rest. Click here)
What came up on the iPod was the incredible story of Kim Phuc.
You have seen a picture of Kim. It was when she was nine-years-old, and running down the road between Phnom Penh and Saigon. She is naked. Her clothes have been burned off by a napalm bomb. She is crying. She is, to a generation, simply "the girl in the photograph."
She's an adult now, living in Canada with children of her own, and her essay for "This I Believe" has the enticing title of "The Long Road to Forgiveness." (Read the rest. Click here)
A Conversation with Job (Yes, the guy from the Bible...)
Jul/12/2008 12:00 AM
Job, the guy from the Old Testament, stopped by the
house the other day for a visit. He looked good for
somebody pushing 2,500-years-old. We had a nice chat.
I wish I'd turned on the tape recorder in time, but I
didn't think about that quickly enough. However, I'm
pretty sure I can recall the gist of the
conversation.
So what follows is a pretty close transcription... (Read the rest. Click here)
So what follows is a pretty close transcription... (Read the rest. Click here)
Gulf Coast Mission Trip
Jun/26/2008 04:18 PM
Went back to the Gulf Coast again this week, for a
third mission trip in as many years. This one was
with our youth. And we've took some short cell phone
videos that we've posted as vlogs for your enjoyment.
(Read the rest. Click here)
(Read the rest. Click here)
Art and Soul Update
May/15/2008 08:19 AM
Speaking of my favorite podcasts, I haven't mentioned
"Art and Soul" lately. This is really a shame, since
many of the guests the past year have been close
friends.
If you haven't heard of "Art and Soul of North Texas," it's a podcast created by my friend, Shelly Niedbuhr --quite an accomplished artist herself-- that explores the intersections of creativity and spirituality.
And, as I mentioned, many of the recent guests are among my best friends. (Read the rest. Click here)
If you haven't heard of "Art and Soul of North Texas," it's a podcast created by my friend, Shelly Niedbuhr --quite an accomplished artist herself-- that explores the intersections of creativity and spirituality.
And, as I mentioned, many of the recent guests are among my best friends. (Read the rest. Click here)
Strangers Bring Us Closer to God
May/14/2008 07:18 AM
"This I
Believe" was a marvelous radio feature created
decades ago by legendary radio man, Edward R. Murrow.
In the modern era, it's been revived by NPR and
independent producer, Jay
Allison. I listen to it
faithfully, via podcast, and I highly recommend
the series to you. Basically, "ordinary people
from all walks of life" submit short essays on
their "beliefs" and the best of those are chosen
for broadcast.
The one below is a recent submission that moved me because it speaks to my own sense of Christian faith, calling, and social understanding. Her own website says this about author Sara Miles:
"Raised as an atheist, Sara Miles lived an enthusiastically secular life as a restaurant cook and writer. Then early one morning, for no earthly reason, she wandered into a church. “I was certainly not interested in becoming a Christian,” she writes. “Or, as I thought of it rather less politely, a religious nut.”
But she ate a piece of bread, took a sip of wine, and found herself radically transformed...."
Below is the text of Sara's essay, titled "Strangers Bring Us Closer to God." As I said, a lot of my own theology is embedded in this beautiful essay. I have added emphasis here and there, just because.
Listen to it on iTunes here. Read it below. (Read the rest. Click here)
The one below is a recent submission that moved me because it speaks to my own sense of Christian faith, calling, and social understanding. Her own website says this about author Sara Miles:
"Raised as an atheist, Sara Miles lived an enthusiastically secular life as a restaurant cook and writer. Then early one morning, for no earthly reason, she wandered into a church. “I was certainly not interested in becoming a Christian,” she writes. “Or, as I thought of it rather less politely, a religious nut.”
But she ate a piece of bread, took a sip of wine, and found herself radically transformed...."
Below is the text of Sara's essay, titled "Strangers Bring Us Closer to God." As I said, a lot of my own theology is embedded in this beautiful essay. I have added emphasis here and there, just because.
Listen to it on iTunes here. Read it below. (Read the rest. Click here)
Non-Violent "action" at General Conference
May/03/2008 08:39 PM
As I
alluded to briefly,
earlier this week the General Conference of the
United Methodist Church has been meeting in Fort
Worth for the past two weeks. I've been there almost
every day of those two weeks, primarily supporting a
cause near and dear to the heart of many in our
church: full inclusion of GLBT persons in our
denomination. (Read the rest.
Click here)
The Cell Phone Debacle and What it Should Tell Us
Apr/28/2008 08:43 AM
Over the weekend, news broke of conservative elements
within the United Methodist Church attempting to sway
votes at the General Conference by providing cell
phones to international delegates from Africa and
elsewhere. (Read the rest. Click
here)
Consider the Bluebonnets: An Earth Day Meditation
Apr/26/2008 07:30 PM
(Note: as "Earth Week" draws to a close, I offer this
edited sermon text from two weeks ago. You can
actually hear the slightly modified spoken version by
clicking
here.)
(Read the rest. Click
here)
The Holy Family: A Meditation
Jan/05/2008 05:16 PM
A quick trip to Starbucks this morning reminded me
that --for all most of the world knows-- the
Christmas season is over. They've taken down most of
their holiday displays. "Christmas Blend" is in the
sale rack.
Know what's funny, though? Technically, we're still in the Christmas season. Yes, despite what you've been told, the Christmas season does not begin the day after Thanksgiving and end December 26th. That's the Corporate Christmas. If you're a fan of big corporations and conspicuous consumption, this is the season for you. (I've actually seen decorations in stores on my birthday: September 21st, the Fall Equinox!!!)
The actual Christmas season --at least the way it was originally celebrated-- ran through January 6th; a day known as "Epiphany." That's the day dedicated to celebrating the coming of the Wise Men. The days between Christmas Day and Epiphany are precisely twelve in number.
Yep. That's where the song comes from. (Didn't you always wonder?) (Read the rest. Click here)
Know what's funny, though? Technically, we're still in the Christmas season. Yes, despite what you've been told, the Christmas season does not begin the day after Thanksgiving and end December 26th. That's the Corporate Christmas. If you're a fan of big corporations and conspicuous consumption, this is the season for you. (I've actually seen decorations in stores on my birthday: September 21st, the Fall Equinox!!!)
The actual Christmas season --at least the way it was originally celebrated-- ran through January 6th; a day known as "Epiphany." That's the day dedicated to celebrating the coming of the Wise Men. The days between Christmas Day and Epiphany are precisely twelve in number.
Yep. That's where the song comes from. (Didn't you always wonder?) (Read the rest. Click here)
Christmas Lists: A Meditation
Dec/25/2007 12:06 AM
It's hard to tell just where we are with Santa this
year. Maria and her parents are doing something of a
"Don't Ask Don't Tell" dance with each other around
all the major issues.
But she did go to see him Saturday: (Read the rest. Click here)
But she did go to see him Saturday: (Read the rest. Click here)
My Immigration Blog Gets Republished
Dec/07/2007 04:20 PM
Dallas Area Progressive Christian Alliance is a small
group of dedicated believers who happen to believe
that not only can you be liberal/progressive and be a
Christian, but that the Gospel perhaps even indicates
a kind of progressivism that many do not typically
associate with the faith They seek to stand as a
counter to the pervasiveness of the "religious right"
and offer people an alternative.
You can check out their website here.
Back in April of 2006, I preached a sermon on the morning of the "MegaMarch." The DAPCA is currently unpacking the issue of immigration, and they have republished this sermon on their website. You can read it here. (Read the rest. Click here)
You can check out their website here.
Back in April of 2006, I preached a sermon on the morning of the "MegaMarch." The DAPCA is currently unpacking the issue of immigration, and they have republished this sermon on their website. You can read it here. (Read the rest. Click here)
The Good Samaritan
Jul/27/2007 05:23 PM
(The following is an edited version of a sermon givin
at
Northaven Church
on July 15th) (Read the rest. Click
here)
Art and Soul of North Texas
Jan/12/2007 08:22 AM
Pasted Graphic 2
For those of us interested in the connection between art and spirituality (and, actually, I hope that is most of us...) there's a new local podcast out there that you need to check out.
It's called "Art and Soul of North Texas," and it's created by my friend Shelly Niebuhr. Shelly is a wonderful artist herself --a musician and painter-- and you may know her as half of the duo "ClarySage."
The website says that "Art and Soul of North Texas" is: "Inspiring conversations with ordinary people creating extraordinary art."
Each podcast is an extended interview with a local musician/artist about their art, and about the way that spirit and art collide. Here's some of what Sherry says about the podcast on her site: (Read the rest. Click here)
Humiliation Theory and Terrorism
Jan/04/2007 07:21 AM
While surfing the
Morning News Views blog
this week, I stumbled on
a fascinating
link,
posted by Keven Ann Willey. The article is from a
publication called "Democracy: A Journal of
Ideas," and the title is
"A Matter of Pride: Why We Can't
Buy Off the Next Osama bin
Laden.
It seems to me that the insights of this essay are quite good. So, I wanted to blog about it here because my sincere hope is that ideas like this might be more seriously discussed in the mainstream. The more blogs that pick it up, the more it might actually get out there and get discussed in the real world. (Read the rest. Click here)
It seems to me that the insights of this essay are quite good. So, I wanted to blog about it here because my sincere hope is that ideas like this might be more seriously discussed in the mainstream. The more blogs that pick it up, the more it might actually get out there and get discussed in the real world. (Read the rest. Click here)
The Tumped Over Tree: A Christmas Meditation
Dec/06/2006 08:59 PM
Here is a Christmas meditation for this year....
(Read the rest. Click here)
(Read the rest. Click here)
Fruit Pies and Pencil Lead: A Thanksgiving Meditation
Nov/26/2006 08:15 PM
left">
(Adapted from a sermon
at Northaven Church, delivered this
morning...EF)
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We had an incredibly restful one around here. We decided to stay here at home, just the three of us. We still did up the whole turkey/dressing/meal thing. It was wonderfully peaceful. Not that we don't love our families, and not that we didn't have chances to be with them. But a couple of months ago, Maria actually asked us if we could spend Thanksgiving by ourselves this year. This was deep in the middle of the campaign season when --between that, Maria's activities, and regular church stuff-- we were basically meeting each other coming and going. So, we took her small request as a barometer of sorts. After some original plans fell through, we thought, maybe we do just need the time by ourselves. As it turns out, we did. Hope you had a good weekend too.
And since it is still, technically, Thanksgiving Weekend, let me tell you a little story about family worries and fruit pie. For many of us, "family worry and fruit pie" about sums up our Thanksgiving experience.
(Read the rest. Click here)
Labor Day 2006
Sep/04/2006 12:12 AM
One of my
friends, Joerg Rieger, who is a professor at Perkins
School of Theology, has written this essay about Labor
Day 2006. It's a good one, and I hope you'll read it
below.
Labor Day, like Memorial Day, doesn't really seem to mean what it used to in our country, and I think that's a shame. So, I hope you'll think about the challenging thoughts Joerg puts before us all. (Read the rest. Click here)
Labor Day, like Memorial Day, doesn't really seem to mean what it used to in our country, and I think that's a shame. So, I hope you'll think about the challenging thoughts Joerg puts before us all. (Read the rest. Click here)
If Everybody Claims Victory, Does Everybody Win? (Israel and Hezbollah)
Aug/16/2006 07:28 PM
It's the
craziest part of the new cease fire between Israel and
Hezbollah-- the part where both sides are claiming
victory. Both sides seem ready to accept this --at
least temporary-- cease fire. Both sides are publicly
saying now is a great time to stop dropping bombs on
the other. Because --they each claim-- they have met
most of their major "goals."
For Hezbollah, I suppose they have managed to assert themselves as a powerful political/social force in the region. For Israel, I suppose at some level, they have avenged the kidnapping of two soldiers.
But how is this victory? Isn't it just a pitiful continuation of the same conflict that has raged for....how long? Decades? Centuries? Millennia?
And here's the truth: no matter what each side claims, this is not a war that can be won. Ever. Not now. Not a hundred years from now. Winning/losing is the completely wrong conceptual axis. The only real realistic axis moves back and forth between coexistence and constant war.
Anytime anybody thinks they have "won" in the Middle East, get ready for more bloodshed down the road.
A few years back, during the Palestinian Intifada, I wrote a song called "Ishmael and Isaac." And, in honor (honor?) of current conflict, I've put it up on my myspace page, and you can listen to it there. (And use the "Standalone Player" as you read the rest of this blog...) (Read the rest. Click here)
For Hezbollah, I suppose they have managed to assert themselves as a powerful political/social force in the region. For Israel, I suppose at some level, they have avenged the kidnapping of two soldiers.
But how is this victory? Isn't it just a pitiful continuation of the same conflict that has raged for....how long? Decades? Centuries? Millennia?
And here's the truth: no matter what each side claims, this is not a war that can be won. Ever. Not now. Not a hundred years from now. Winning/losing is the completely wrong conceptual axis. The only real realistic axis moves back and forth between coexistence and constant war.
Anytime anybody thinks they have "won" in the Middle East, get ready for more bloodshed down the road.
A few years back, during the Palestinian Intifada, I wrote a song called "Ishmael and Isaac." And, in honor (honor?) of current conflict, I've put it up on my myspace page, and you can listen to it there. (And use the "Standalone Player" as you read the rest of this blog...) (Read the rest. Click here)
Code Comments
May/22/2006 09:55 PM
You may not
know this, but I sometimes re-post these blog entries
over on the "Talking Points Memo
Cafe." It's an online
community associated with the great political
blog, Talking Points
Memo. It's designed to give
readers the chance to weigh in on their own, and
create a really interesting little community of
debate and discussion.
I mention this, because I cross-posted my last entry on the DaVinci Code, and it's generated some interesting comments. If you click here , you can scroll through the essay itself, and read some of the things folks have been saying in response.
I mention this, because I cross-posted my last entry on the DaVinci Code, and it's generated some interesting comments. If you click here , you can scroll through the essay itself, and read some of the things folks have been saying in response.
--30--
(Read the rest. Click here)The DaVinci Code: What We Know and DON'T Know About Religion
May/19/2006 09:57 PM
Today, the
DaVinci Code madness starts all over again.
Actually, the madness has been building for several months now, ahead of the release of the DaVinci Code movie today. (In theaters around the planet, to read the press release)
As many of you know, I have the theological training (seminary degree) and literary training (journalism degree) to be more than a little dangerous. And since this is a book/movie/cultural phenomenon that is both literary and theological event, you might expect me to have a few thoughts.
This is an interesting book precisely because it blends mystery, suspense, theology, sex, history, into a potent and captivating brew. But I hear many people asking questions that we don't often ask about works of fiction. Folks are asking: "Is it true?"
(click "Read More" below...)
(Read the rest. Click here)
Actually, the madness has been building for several months now, ahead of the release of the DaVinci Code movie today. (In theaters around the planet, to read the press release)
As many of you know, I have the theological training (seminary degree) and literary training (journalism degree) to be more than a little dangerous. And since this is a book/movie/cultural phenomenon that is both literary and theological event, you might expect me to have a few thoughts.
This is an interesting book precisely because it blends mystery, suspense, theology, sex, history, into a potent and captivating brew. But I hear many people asking questions that we don't often ask about works of fiction. Folks are asking: "Is it true?"
(click "Read More" below...)
(Read the rest. Click here)
City Hawks
May/09/2006 10:02 PM
I keep seeing
hawks here in North Dallas.
I don't remember ever seeing them before about six months ago. But, since then, I've seen maybe four or five. Most of them have been soaring high above Kiowa Creek Park, winding up and down our neighborhood tributary of White Rock Creek. They tower above the creek beds, looking for mice I suppose...or rats...or whatever else they might see down there.
When I lived in Mason for a year, I used go to Enchanted Rock quite a lot and watch the hawks circling the high hill there. I used to watch them, riding the breezes back and forth, swooping across that pink-rocked dome, looking for prey...enjoying the ride on the wind. And I remember my sister --who once upon was a paid "raptor interpreter" at a nature museum-- telling me how great a hawk's eyesight is. They can see those tiny mice from far up in the sky. I've never seen them dive in on their "prey" on our little suburban creekbed. But they swoop back and forth with the same motion, the same singleness of purpose and intention, that those hawks on Enchanted Rock always had...
Every time I've seen one of these incredible birds these past few months, I have to stop what I'm doing (I literally pull over the car, or stop my walk) just to stand and watch for a minute. (Read the rest. Click here)
I don't remember ever seeing them before about six months ago. But, since then, I've seen maybe four or five. Most of them have been soaring high above Kiowa Creek Park, winding up and down our neighborhood tributary of White Rock Creek. They tower above the creek beds, looking for mice I suppose...or rats...or whatever else they might see down there.
When I lived in Mason for a year, I used go to Enchanted Rock quite a lot and watch the hawks circling the high hill there. I used to watch them, riding the breezes back and forth, swooping across that pink-rocked dome, looking for prey...enjoying the ride on the wind. And I remember my sister --who once upon was a paid "raptor interpreter" at a nature museum-- telling me how great a hawk's eyesight is. They can see those tiny mice from far up in the sky. I've never seen them dive in on their "prey" on our little suburban creekbed. But they swoop back and forth with the same motion, the same singleness of purpose and intention, that those hawks on Enchanted Rock always had...
Every time I've seen one of these incredible birds these past few months, I have to stop what I'm doing (I literally pull over the car, or stop my walk) just to stand and watch for a minute. (Read the rest. Click here)
Brief Easter Thoughts
Apr/16/2006 10:28 PM
It's far too
late to really blog extensively on Easter this year. We
had a fine, fine morning at church. Really good crowd.
All was well.
Had a great time with family this afternoon too.
My own thoughts about Easter this morning were primarily inspired by Sarah Dylan Breuer; one of the finest online preacher/writers out there. And one of the only ones I read routinely. Even if it wasn't too late to bring you a scintillating and original Easter blog tonight, I might just refer you to Dylan's words anyway.
What I like about what she's written this year is her challenging assertion that Easter isn't really about what Jesus did. Or even more powerfully, crazy as it sounds, Easter really isn't even really about the resurrection. (Read the rest. Click here)
Had a great time with family this afternoon too.
My own thoughts about Easter this morning were primarily inspired by Sarah Dylan Breuer; one of the finest online preacher/writers out there. And one of the only ones I read routinely. Even if it wasn't too late to bring you a scintillating and original Easter blog tonight, I might just refer you to Dylan's words anyway.
What I like about what she's written this year is her challenging assertion that Easter isn't really about what Jesus did. Or even more powerfully, crazy as it sounds, Easter really isn't even really about the resurrection. (Read the rest. Click here)
Monster Truck Liturgy
Apr/13/2006 10:30 PM
UPDATE:
I've just Googled "Monster Truck Liturgy" and found some info on its origins....
There's this entry that tells the full story.
Apparently, it was produced by an actual Episcopal who goes to this actual church....although the ad has not actually been used officially to advertise the church. It was produced by a guy named Mike McKenzie, who has proved that Episcopalians DO have a good sense of humor.
I've just Googled "Monster Truck Liturgy" and found some info on its origins....
There's this entry that tells the full story.
Apparently, it was produced by an actual Episcopal who goes to this actual church....although the ad has not actually been used officially to advertise the church. It was produced by a guy named Mike McKenzie, who has proved that Episcopalians DO have a good sense of humor.
--30--
(Read the rest. Click here)When Religion Goes Bad. Or, When Religious People Do (A Terrying Video Symbolizes a Very Real Issue)
Feb/16/2006 05:01 PM
Religion can
bring out the best of our human nature.
Religion can bring out the worst of our human nature.
Religion ought to teach folks to be more loving, more kind, more generous, and more caring. Religion ought to teach us compassion for our fellow human beings, a reverence for what is holy , for other humans, and for the natural world. Religion ought to inspire people to great acts of mercy and great attitudes of service toward the world.
It doesn't always, though. Sometimes, religion gets twisted. Sometimes, it becomes nothing more than rule-following. In fact, there are a great many people who believe religion is ONLY about "rule following," and not about any of the values I've mentioned above. Jesus used to get frustrated with these kind of folks...folks who were more concerned with following the rules than helping people. The Bible is full of stories where it's clear Jesus cares more for people than for following a set of rules... (Read the rest. Click here)
Religion can bring out the worst of our human nature.
Religion ought to teach folks to be more loving, more kind, more generous, and more caring. Religion ought to teach us compassion for our fellow human beings, a reverence for what is holy , for other humans, and for the natural world. Religion ought to inspire people to great acts of mercy and great attitudes of service toward the world.
It doesn't always, though. Sometimes, religion gets twisted. Sometimes, it becomes nothing more than rule-following. In fact, there are a great many people who believe religion is ONLY about "rule following," and not about any of the values I've mentioned above. Jesus used to get frustrated with these kind of folks...folks who were more concerned with following the rules than helping people. The Bible is full of stories where it's clear Jesus cares more for people than for following a set of rules... (Read the rest. Click here)
Getting Priorities Straight (Mike Holmgren and hs wife remind us about what's important)
Feb/05/2006 05:04 PM
Before
the
game gets going in a little
while, I wanted to post this story that I just read
about. This is the kind of story I love to hear about,
and it makes all the hype and bs of the day fade away
for me for a moment....maybe it will for you too.
Here's the original reference, and the text of the story is provided below.
What caught my attention was Holmgren's quote about his wife:
"She works very hard at a lot of things that are more important than coaching a football game."
What an great perspective... (Read the rest. Click here)
Here's the original reference, and the text of the story is provided below.
What caught my attention was Holmgren's quote about his wife:
"She works very hard at a lot of things that are more important than coaching a football game."
What an great perspective... (Read the rest. Click here)
"Does anybody know what Christmas is all about" (A Christmas Day Message)
Dec/25/2005 06:39 PM
"Does anybody know what Christmas is all about?" (A
Christmas Day Message)
Have you ever wondered why, in modern time, many of our myths about aliens from outerspace feature creatures that look somewhat human? I mean, think about it: a space creature could look like anything. It could be a blob creeping along the ground. But instead, many of the aliens of our modern mythologies have elongated faces, and big eyes, and strangely formed hand. But! They usually have two eyes...and a mouth....they often walk upright like we do.
Perhaps even in modern guise --even in the realm of science fiction, in our myths and messages from “beyond”-- we’re still really looking for a form we can understand and relate to; a form that looks almost human.
Whether it’s some modern mythology, or the Christmas story of 2,000 years ago, what we humans seem to yearn for is a word we can understand. A word that gets put in our language. A word that speaks to us on our level...
So, here’s a question for you: when was the first time that you clearly remember understanding the meaning of the Christmas message? Can you remember the moment it happened?
Because I can. And I have to tell you that even though I went to church religiously with my family as a child, it was not at church that first I learned the Word of the Christmas story. It was not at Sunday School. It was not in a sermon (something that humbles me constantly...).
No, it was not through any religious institution at all. (Read the rest. Click here)
Have you ever wondered why, in modern time, many of our myths about aliens from outerspace feature creatures that look somewhat human? I mean, think about it: a space creature could look like anything. It could be a blob creeping along the ground. But instead, many of the aliens of our modern mythologies have elongated faces, and big eyes, and strangely formed hand. But! They usually have two eyes...and a mouth....they often walk upright like we do.
Perhaps even in modern guise --even in the realm of science fiction, in our myths and messages from “beyond”-- we’re still really looking for a form we can understand and relate to; a form that looks almost human.
Whether it’s some modern mythology, or the Christmas story of 2,000 years ago, what we humans seem to yearn for is a word we can understand. A word that gets put in our language. A word that speaks to us on our level...
So, here’s a question for you: when was the first time that you clearly remember understanding the meaning of the Christmas message? Can you remember the moment it happened?
Because I can. And I have to tell you that even though I went to church religiously with my family as a child, it was not at church that first I learned the Word of the Christmas story. It was not at Sunday School. It was not in a sermon (something that humbles me constantly...).
No, it was not through any religious institution at all. (Read the rest. Click here)
Friday at Crawford: Camp Casey without Cindy Sheehan
Aug/20/2005 07:27 PM
Spent yesterday
out at Camp Casey. I had been asked to provide
music for an interfaith prayer vigil to take place at
noon-time.
Here's a great photo collage from Jeff Paterson and "Not in Our Name" of the prayer vigil.
Jeff has also produced an incredible video, with my song as the soundtrack.
(I heard that Channel 8 and Nightline both mentioned the vigil last night, but I didn't get to see either one...)
Spent several days this week, fretting over what music to play, and finally decided on some very simple songs. (I''ll talk about those in a minute...) The over-riding news of the day, of course, was the departure from Camp Casey of Cindy Sheehan herself. The news was so fresh that no one really knew what we'd find there at camp when we arrived...would the movement be continuing? Would it fall apart?
Far from it. Actually, when I compare my trip Monday and my trip Friday, there were probably DOUBLE the number of folks out at the Camp and in at the Crawford Peace House on Friday, after Cindy had left. (And, as I was leaving yesterday, more and more were still pouring in...) So, clearly, the movement is not waning, even with Cindy not there.
The clergy gathered at the Peace House about ten thirty, and went over our brief order of service. Then, we loaded in vans and went out to the site. It was great to meet Barbara R, from Austin, who was our van driver and an incredibly wonderful person. She and another guy (whose name escapes me...) seemed to mostly be putting things together.
The Gold Star Families, Iraq Veterans Groups, Military Families Speak Out, were holding a ten-thirty press conference, and as soon as it was over, our vigil was to start. You can hear some of that press conference here. (Quicktime)
The clergy gathered at the end of the row of crosses, and processed down toward Camp Casey. The family members, who were finishing their press conference, met us halfway, and we embraced and headed back to the camp. I must say, this was the most moving, but also the most annoying, part of the prayer vigil. It was moving, because we got to meet these family members of those who had died in Iraq, and the Iraq War Veterans who are joining them in support. It was annoying, because the media was crowding in, snapping pictures, and almost leering at us. I've been around the media now and then, but I've never found them to be THAT intrusive before. Even the Sheriff started speaking to them, challenging them to get off the road.
When we got the site, I opened the service with two songs: "The Gift of Love" (caution: cheezy midi sound at this link...) and a song I'd written for the occasion, called "God is Here With Us." After this, there was a time of prayer from several clergy of many different denominations, a time for the "prayers of the people," and finally a time when the families and Vets gathered in the midst of us, and we prayed for them by laying hands on them in prayer.
At the very end, I played my new song, "Prairie Chapel Road."
After we were finished, it was incredibly gratifying to have several of the family members come up to me and tell me how much they appreciated the song.
Several of them kept saying, "That's OUR song!"
And I said, 'Yes, of course it is...that's why I wrote it."
People kept telling me over and over that they hoped everyone could hear the song, and that it captured the feeling of Camp Casey really well. It's not often, as a songwriter, that you encounter people THAT grateful for what you've written, so it was humbling and gratifying all at the same time.
Among the wonderful military families I met who were grateful for the song, were Mimi Evans, and Becky Lourey (sp?) who is a Minnesota State Senator. They did a marvelous job at their press conference, making it clear that they are keeping the questions Cindy originally asked open.
I spent a lot of time with Charlie Anderson, an Iraq War Vet who served around Basra and "south of Bagdad." Won't go into all of what we talked about, but it was a powerful and moving conversation. (Quicktime of Charlie reading a letter).
After this, we escorted the families members and vets to the doorstep of Bush's ranch, as they attempted to deliver a letter to him. However, a Secret Service agent was there at the gate and said that no one was there who could officially accept the letter. So, the families left the letter in the middle of the road, along with one of the flowers we'd given them.
Afterwards, we went back to the Peace House for lunch and more visiting with the families/vets. I am very grateful for this chance to listen to the stories of these mothers and veterans, and to support them and their right to speak out for peace. I'm amazed at their courage and their ability to stay focused, in the midst of all sorts of craziness. They don't ALL agree...they don't all see the "solution" eye-to-eye. But they are united in their desire for a swift and lasting peace.
To date, my song, Prairie Chapel Road, has been downloaded over 850 time during the past week (update: 3100 times as of 01.31.06). I DO hope that folks continue to use Prairie Chapel Road as a way of talking about their experience of Camp Casey, and I'm grateful for every person who finds it healing.
Here's a great photo collage from Jeff Paterson and "Not in Our Name" of the prayer vigil.
Jeff has also produced an incredible video, with my song as the soundtrack.
(I heard that Channel 8 and Nightline both mentioned the vigil last night, but I didn't get to see either one...)
Spent several days this week, fretting over what music to play, and finally decided on some very simple songs. (I''ll talk about those in a minute...) The over-riding news of the day, of course, was the departure from Camp Casey of Cindy Sheehan herself. The news was so fresh that no one really knew what we'd find there at camp when we arrived...would the movement be continuing? Would it fall apart?
Far from it. Actually, when I compare my trip Monday and my trip Friday, there were probably DOUBLE the number of folks out at the Camp and in at the Crawford Peace House on Friday, after Cindy had left. (And, as I was leaving yesterday, more and more were still pouring in...) So, clearly, the movement is not waning, even with Cindy not there.
The clergy gathered at the Peace House about ten thirty, and went over our brief order of service. Then, we loaded in vans and went out to the site. It was great to meet Barbara R, from Austin, who was our van driver and an incredibly wonderful person. She and another guy (whose name escapes me...) seemed to mostly be putting things together.
The Gold Star Families, Iraq Veterans Groups, Military Families Speak Out, were holding a ten-thirty press conference, and as soon as it was over, our vigil was to start. You can hear some of that press conference here. (Quicktime)
The clergy gathered at the end of the row of crosses, and processed down toward Camp Casey. The family members, who were finishing their press conference, met us halfway, and we embraced and headed back to the camp. I must say, this was the most moving, but also the most annoying, part of the prayer vigil. It was moving, because we got to meet these family members of those who had died in Iraq, and the Iraq War Veterans who are joining them in support. It was annoying, because the media was crowding in, snapping pictures, and almost leering at us. I've been around the media now and then, but I've never found them to be THAT intrusive before. Even the Sheriff started speaking to them, challenging them to get off the road.
When we got the site, I opened the service with two songs: "The Gift of Love" (caution: cheezy midi sound at this link...) and a song I'd written for the occasion, called "God is Here With Us." After this, there was a time of prayer from several clergy of many different denominations, a time for the "prayers of the people," and finally a time when the families and Vets gathered in the midst of us, and we prayed for them by laying hands on them in prayer.
At the very end, I played my new song, "Prairie Chapel Road."
After we were finished, it was incredibly gratifying to have several of the family members come up to me and tell me how much they appreciated the song.
Several of them kept saying, "That's OUR song!"
And I said, 'Yes, of course it is...that's why I wrote it."
People kept telling me over and over that they hoped everyone could hear the song, and that it captured the feeling of Camp Casey really well. It's not often, as a songwriter, that you encounter people THAT grateful for what you've written, so it was humbling and gratifying all at the same time.
Among the wonderful military families I met who were grateful for the song, were Mimi Evans, and Becky Lourey (sp?) who is a Minnesota State Senator. They did a marvelous job at their press conference, making it clear that they are keeping the questions Cindy originally asked open.
I spent a lot of time with Charlie Anderson, an Iraq War Vet who served around Basra and "south of Bagdad." Won't go into all of what we talked about, but it was a powerful and moving conversation. (Quicktime of Charlie reading a letter).
After this, we escorted the families members and vets to the doorstep of Bush's ranch, as they attempted to deliver a letter to him. However, a Secret Service agent was there at the gate and said that no one was there who could officially accept the letter. So, the families left the letter in the middle of the road, along with one of the flowers we'd given them.
Afterwards, we went back to the Peace House for lunch and more visiting with the families/vets. I am very grateful for this chance to listen to the stories of these mothers and veterans, and to support them and their right to speak out for peace. I'm amazed at their courage and their ability to stay focused, in the midst of all sorts of craziness. They don't ALL agree...they don't all see the "solution" eye-to-eye. But they are united in their desire for a swift and lasting peace.
To date, my song, Prairie Chapel Road, has been downloaded over 850 time during the past week (update: 3100 times as of 01.31.06). I DO hope that folks continue to use Prairie Chapel Road as a way of talking about their experience of Camp Casey, and I'm grateful for every person who finds it healing.
Schiavo
Mar/22/2005 06:37 PM
I've avoided
commenting on the Terri Schiavo situation for as long
as I could. But even as much as I'd like to avoid it,
it seems to be the story that just won't go away. So,
here goes, whether you asked for it or not...
First off, the ironies of this whole situation are numerous, gaping, and might even be funny if the facts of the case weren't so sobering. I should say that I've had the high honor of being with families as they have had to make these kinds of life and death decisions for loved ones.
Trust me, it's never easy. EVEN IF you have a signed "directive" from the patient, instructing their loved ones and doctors as to their wishes, it's never easy....no matter what that directive
instructs. (Read the rest. Click here)
First off, the ironies of this whole situation are numerous, gaping, and might even be funny if the facts of the case weren't so sobering. I should say that I've had the high honor of being with families as they have had to make these kinds of life and death decisions for loved ones.
Trust me, it's never easy. EVEN IF you have a signed "directive" from the patient, instructing their loved ones and doctors as to their wishes, it's never easy....no matter what that directive
instructs. (Read the rest. Click here)
What the Bleep....do we know?
Jan/11/2005 06:36 PM
I saw
"What the Bleep Do we
Know" the other day....last
Friday afternoon, actually. I'd been wanting to see
it for some time, because of my natural interest in
spiritual things. Many of you have recommended that
I see it.
I came away really having enjoyed it, but also with having been troubled by some of the directions the movie went. For example, I have been intrigued by the connection between my favorite kind of theology, Process Theology, and Quantum Physics.
For years, I have been searching for more of a connection between the two, and have been a little disspointed that there's not more out there on the connections. My favorite process thinker is Charles Hartshorne, and outside of a small group of egghead theologians and philosophers, not many people know about him.
I was interested in the ideas of Masaru Emoto, and the "Message from Water." Before I leap off the edge and accept everything about it whole hogg, I'd love to hear than another scientist or two have replicated his thoughts. But, it IS really, really interesting...
I found myself having a visercally negative reaction to the woman "expert" in the field, and at the end of the movie, discovered that she is, in fact, "Ramtha," a New Age-y healer of some reknown.
Somehow, it explained my reaction to her. The one thing she said that REALLY stuck with me was when, in criticizing the "organized religions,"she said that there was great hubris and sin in assuming that God could take human form, or be anthropomorphic. (my word, not her's...)
This was strange critique, it seemed to me, coming from a woman who purports to channel the spirit of a 3500-year-old man. But I guess others didn't see the irony in that.
I'll probably say more on this later...
I came away really having enjoyed it, but also with having been troubled by some of the directions the movie went. For example, I have been intrigued by the connection between my favorite kind of theology, Process Theology, and Quantum Physics.
For years, I have been searching for more of a connection between the two, and have been a little disspointed that there's not more out there on the connections. My favorite process thinker is Charles Hartshorne, and outside of a small group of egghead theologians and philosophers, not many people know about him.
I was interested in the ideas of Masaru Emoto, and the "Message from Water." Before I leap off the edge and accept everything about it whole hogg, I'd love to hear than another scientist or two have replicated his thoughts. But, it IS really, really interesting...
I found myself having a visercally negative reaction to the woman "expert" in the field, and at the end of the movie, discovered that she is, in fact, "Ramtha," a New Age-y healer of some reknown.
Somehow, it explained my reaction to her. The one thing she said that REALLY stuck with me was when, in criticizing the "organized religions,"she said that there was great hubris and sin in assuming that God could take human form, or be anthropomorphic. (my word, not her's...)
This was strange critique, it seemed to me, coming from a woman who purports to channel the spirit of a 3500-year-old man. But I guess others didn't see the irony in that.
I'll probably say more on this later...
--30--
(Read the rest. Click here)