Here is a strong call to see possibilities, to be committed to seeking a better world, to risk “uncomfortable coalitions.” “It’s about what we make together.”
Author - Larry
My Passages for Meditation: 3 Nourishing, Life-Changing Habits of Thought
Ideas that you consider repeatedly – like my passages for meditation – can set one’s life tone and direction.
Public Outcry in Nebraska – Then Gov Pillen Changed His Mind on $18 Million Child Food Aid
It seems a public outcry in Nebraska helped move Gov Jim Pillen (R) to rethink his priorities about food aid for kids (his priorities which were dealt with quite unfavorably here recently - Jan 8...
JESUS AND JOHN WAYNE by Kristin Kobes du Mez. 2 Saviors, NOT the Same. Choose Wisely.
JESUS and JOHN WAYNE by Kristin Kobes du Mez says Trump is the FULFILLMENT of white evangelical values. Evangelicalism is not Bible-based nor theology-driven. It’s a domineering, power-hungry...
Is God Evil or Good? Let’s Not Ignore Jesus and His Strong Opinion. Luke 11.
It’s a real issue -- Is God evil or good? There are strong arguments … But Jesus takes a vigorous stand on the “God is good” side.
Bringing People Together – Jane Kleeb Gets $3 Million to Promote Rural Energy Justice
Bringing People Together: “If we can go into a community and work all together at the same table and make those projects work for the community while helping America find energy freedom … There’s a...
“I Do Not Believe In Welfare.” Ok. But They Love Some Socialism for the Rich.
NE Gov Pillen said, “I do not believe in welfare.” Well, sometimes. He certainly believes in the government helping to take care of CERTAIN SETS of people (who don't need much help).
What Does the Book of Isaiah Teach Us? Things We Don’t Like! See Isaiah 1 For Example.
What does the book of Isaiah teach us? Do we care? We choose which teachings of the Bible to feature in our thinking. You can't prioritize all of it! We choose what to love. And it shapes us.
Is Donald Trump a Fascist? If it Walks Like a Duck … 11 Authorities Say Yes
If we ask “Is Donald Trump a fascist?” we can answer: “He was born too late, BUT ‘He’s talking like a fascist. He’s planning fascist policies. He’s staffing up with fascists.’”
A Resolution for Next Year. 1? 2? What Chance do You Have? ☹
A resolution for next year – or more than one – sadly they often fall by the wayside. Here are some ideas that might help with all that. “Resolution” or “resolved” are words way too strong for how...
Is Trumpism a Word, a Thing? Yup. Dangerous? 14 Good Sources Say “You Better Believe It!”
Is trumpism a word? Yes. It stands for the end of democracy, the end of freedom, the end of decency.
The Hopes and Fears of All the Years – Does That Include Our Years?
The hopes and fears of all the years - What does that make you think of? That's a LOT of human life.
How to Feel More Grateful. It’s Thanksgiving! Seriously, How to Be Grateful. We’re Not Powerless.
Should we even care about how to feel more grateful? Why? Well, it is good for humans. Here are some guides, short and sweet.
How To Learn How to Pray – Don’t Fret, Just Do It! – 11 Helps From Real Pray-ers.
How to say a prayer? How to start a prayer? How to learn how to pray? Many times, I bet, we have done something that we were scared to try – but we did it! And it was good that we did. We can do that...
Abusive Use of the Bible – a la Speaker Mike Johnson – is Fraud. But Popular, & a Handy Weapon.
This abusive use of the Bible (“The New Small Bible” or “The Republican Small Bible”) is a long-standing American problem. And it is not a small matter. It is truly dangerous.
Prophetic Improvisation Takes the Bible Seriously. Are You Ready for Jesus and Jazz?
Maybe US churches' inability to bring love, peace, patience, kindness into society - and their increasing desire to bring domination and violence - has to do with NOT taking the Bible seriously. Not...
What is Christian Nationalism? It Wears Christian Words & Symbols Like Sheep’s Clothing.
What is Christian nationalism? It’s nationalism - sort of "my country, right or wrong" stuff - but seems to be Christian only in superficial, dishonest ways.
Open and Affirming Churches – Are YOU SEEN, Welcomed, Affirmed? Do You See, Welcome, Affirm?
Some really are Open and Affirming churches, ONA, or "Welcoming and Affirming." Some merely claim or wish to be.
Justice is What Love Looks Like in Public. Why Resist It? Is It Possible We Hate Loving Our Neighbors?
Cornel West: Justice is what love looks like in public. John Ruskin: We hate justice. All of Us: We don't hate loving our neighbors!!
What is it Like to Live in Ukraine Right Now? – 3 Short Poems – Truth, Terror, Courage, Love.
What is it like to live in Ukraine right now? We need to listen now and then to people trapped "in the hour of war". Poetry from Ukraine enables that.
What If Christians Don’t Listen to Jesus? See 5 Very Short, Very Important Stories from Matthew 7
If a pastor tries to listen to Jesus and a church member complains ‘Where did you get those liberal talking points?’ - then we know US "Christianity" has problems.
8 SHORT Books – Good Ones You Might Appreciate.
Short books. Sometimes “short and sweet” is most excellent in a book - though sometimes we do without the “sweet” part.
6 Anti-Gay Clobber Passages – Biblical Authority (Mis)Used Against People. Ouch!
Evangelicals and others use a few “clobber passages” against gays - but those passages are quite few, quite brief, and much less clear than it seems at first glance.
The Kingdom of God. We Would Love It – Let’s Get It. (4 Aspects Jesus Emphasized)
The Kingdom of God (or the Kingdom of Heaven) was Jesus' primary emphasis. Can you believe that?!
What Do You Think? Please Share Some Thoughts. (Some Questions – Pick 1 or 2)
What do you think? We're all in this together, you know.
The Trump Cult: You Must Surrender – And Stop Researching. 3 Lists of Cult Behaviors.
The Trump Cult - really? Depends on who you ask, obviously. People IN a cult never believe they are in a cult.
Our Sometimes Silly Beliefs Don’t Matter Much to God. 3 Ways God Views Our Beliefs.
Your beliefs don't matter. WHY WOULD your beliefs matter to God? We hear all the time, or feel, that they surely do matter - but why? How?
Jesus Named Wicked Ways (9 Examples) – We Can’t Hide
Jesus named wicked ways ... explicitly. That is, Jesus of Nazareth himself, 1000 years after Solomon, 2000 years before us.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – Is This Good News For Us? Great Blessing Offered
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 - a frightening yet hopeful word from the God of these people. We’d do well to get the actual points.
Try Mainstream Churches – You Might Be Healthier, More Comfortable Here With The Rest of Us!
[Mainstream churches - often called mailine - might be good for you. This is from a reader back in 2005. More true today. My 2023 notes are in brackets like this sentence.]