My father died on a Wednesday in March of 1984. He was 71. His final day was a perfect one for him. He'd played golf, then signed documents to purchase a new home to be built on a golf course in Rancho Mirage. He celebrated the events of the day by going to dinner at a Read More
Another Perspective
Christmas and the Fear of New Life
December 25, 2009
One aspect of the Christmas story that is often ignored is the portion told in Matthew 1:18-2:3. These verses recount how Mary became pregnant prior to marrying Joseph and Joseph’s decision to discreetly remove her from his life. Before he could, Joseph had a dream in which an angel of the Lord told Read More
Why Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?
December 22, 2009
There are a number of explanations for why Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
First, there are the historic reasons. The Gospels, unfortunately, offer conflicting data. The Gospel of Luke indicates Jesus was born in Bethlehem because a census was being taken that required Joseph to leave Nazareth to return to his Read More
First, there are the historic reasons. The Gospels, unfortunately, offer conflicting data. The Gospel of Luke indicates Jesus was born in Bethlehem because a census was being taken that required Joseph to leave Nazareth to return to his Read More
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My Role in the Dallas Cowboys’ First Game Ever
December 2, 2009
In August, 1960, I was 14. That summer I’d been attending a boy’s camp in Susanville, California. Two professional football players, Jack Ellena and Duane Putnam ran the camp. Jack and Duane had been teammates on the Los Angeles Rams in 1955. Both were offensive linemen. Jack had been a starter on UCLA’s undefeated Read More
Where I've Been
December 2, 2009
I haven't been blogging for a few months because I've been finalizing my new book, God and Dreams: Is There A Connection? It is now available at www.wipfandstock.com. Before jumping into my next writing project, I have some stories to share.
Beauty as a Spiritual Path to God
July 31, 2009
Beauty as a Spiritual Path to God
I was riding in Jim Hubbell’s van in Baja, California in the late 1990s when he asked me, “What is beauty?” I was stunned for a couple of reasons. First, I thought that it was an odd question. Who thinks about that stuff? Second, in spite Read More
I was riding in Jim Hubbell’s van in Baja, California in the late 1990s when he asked me, “What is beauty?” I was stunned for a couple of reasons. First, I thought that it was an odd question. Who thinks about that stuff? Second, in spite Read More
Meeting Walter Cronkite
July 19, 2009
Meeting Water Cronkite
It was late January 1970 when I met Walter Cronkite. I was taking an extra year of seminary in order to participate in a church and society training program on Capitol Hill. I was 24 and working in the office of Senator Philip Hart (D–Michigan). The occasion for our meeting was President Read More
It was late January 1970 when I met Walter Cronkite. I was taking an extra year of seminary in order to participate in a church and society training program on Capitol Hill. I was 24 and working in the office of Senator Philip Hart (D–Michigan). The occasion for our meeting was President Read More
Sin
July 11, 2009
What is Sin?
The etymology of sin is “to miss the mark.” That is, a person misses the mark when that person is not the individual God made him/her to be. When our ego leads us to try to be more, or less, or something different than the person God made us to Read More
The etymology of sin is “to miss the mark.” That is, a person misses the mark when that person is not the individual God made him/her to be. When our ego leads us to try to be more, or less, or something different than the person God made us to Read More
Why Do We Suffer? Part Three: A Christian Perspective
July 1, 2009
In part one of this series, I wrote that suffering is a problem for Christianity, one that it doesn't address very well. Afterall, why would a God of love allow suffering?
The Rev. John A. Sanford, an Episcopal priest, my first clergy boss, and one of the men who most influenced my life, couldn't Read More
The Rev. John A. Sanford, an Episcopal priest, my first clergy boss, and one of the men who most influenced my life, couldn't Read More
Why Do We Suffer? Part Two: An Ancient Greek Perspective
June 30, 2009
And even in sleep pain that cannot forget
Falls drop by drop upon the heart,
And in our own despair, against our will,
Comes wisdom to us
By the awful Grace of God.
- Aechylus (525-456 B.C.E.)
In part two of this discussion about suffering, I turn to the ancient Greek dramatist, Read More
Falls drop by drop upon the heart,
And in our own despair, against our will,
Comes wisdom to us
By the awful Grace of God.
- Aechylus (525-456 B.C.E.)
In part two of this discussion about suffering, I turn to the ancient Greek dramatist, Read More