So cold the snow crystalized, a weightless carpet of white gleaming diamonds in vivid moonlight and again in the even colder morning wringing moisture from the air. Thank you, Rabia, for getting my … [Read more...]
Contending with Mental Illness
“Co-dependency” emerged as a buzzword in my profession more than a decade ago, and became a catch-all phrase for a dysfunctional congregation. The concept springs from studies observing the long-term … [Read more...]
Some Parenting Advice
It flashes back in my memory as if just yesterday: a six-month-old baby on my shoulder and a three-year old holding my hand as we walked into the grocery. Without warning the three-year-old collapsed … [Read more...]
Savage Character
I am no fan of Donald Trump, far from it. But he is not to blame for synagogue murders, pipe bombs, or the shootings of people of color. Ours is a savage country with a feral character from the … [Read more...]
The Difference Between Truth & Fact
I have been thinking a lot about truth lately. When we hear from talking heads and politicians about fake news or such-and-such politician lying, it often has to do with facts more than truth. We … [Read more...]
A Child Inside
This post appeared first as the weekly feature, "Denim Spirit" published by The Finger Lakes Times (New York). See it in your mind’s eye. A is child rustling, tussling, and pushing his or her way … [Read more...]
Compassion by the scruff of the neck
This posting appeared first as a regular weekly feature of The Finger Lakes … [Read more...]
subversivepreacher takes the David Brooks Pledge
Donald Trump is a fool, literally, and David Brooks has described it exquisitely. (His article also points to a prominent theme of subversivepreacher, which is that a vibrant and eclectic movement … [Read more...]
Hacking our hearts
It has been an unnerving few weeks. Watching Trump assemble his cabinet, with Sleasy-anne Conway smiling hostility through her lovely white teeth in front of the camera and Mad-eye Bannon hulking … [Read more...]
…And The Ignorant Stupidity Of…
There was this old farmer in Indiana where I grew up, and he was ornerier than a badger with a toothache. He didn’t even pretend to be nice, so no one was flabbergasted when it was discovered he had … [Read more...]