How seminaries and the ordination process leave theologically “liberal” Christians behind
There’s a new article in the Washington Post about seminary graduates who don’t plan to enter ministry. According to the write-up, “About 41 percent of master’s of divinity graduates expect to […]
Written Reflections
"Risk must be evaluated not by the fear it generates in you or the probability of your success, but..."
“Risk must be evaluated not by the fear it generates in you or the probability of your success, but by the value of the goal.” - John C. Maxwell, Failing Forward p.123
goal risk John C. Maxwell
"Conscience…prepares the mind to act and to suffer beyond almost all other causes"
“Conscience…prepares the mind to act and to suffer beyond almost all other causes” - Daniel Webster, “First Settlement of New England, Delivered 22 December 1820” (Unitarian, statesman, U.S. Senator)
"For those whose life is centered in prayer, prayer is time for resting in God."
“For those whose life is centered in prayer, prayer is time for resting in God.” - Joan Chittister, OSB - Called to Question: A Spiritual Memoir
prayer Joan Chittister
"We cannot be tactful with those whose point of view we fail to understand, or do not even strive to..."
“We cannot be tactful with those whose point of view we fail to understand, or do not even strive to understand” - Mary Ellen Richmond, Friendly Visiting Among the Poor (1906) p.14 (Unitarian, social
Morning Prayer May 19, 2013
Wisdom bless us with and in our humility, that we may be glad in the gifts that others have, the blessings that others know, and the dependence we all have not only upon each other but upon this amazi
Religion
Evening Prayer May 19, 2013
Breath of Life, open our lungs and our hearts to the spirit of goodness that grows lush wherever it is shared, the spirit that invites us to be generous and stay the course with love and good humor, t
Religion
Evening Prayer May 18, 2013
Wisdom, hear our thanks for all our teachers, those who taught us a single letter or fact or equation, those who taught us how to create sentences and sing songs, to gather and use tools and grow skil
Religion
Morning Prayer May 18, 2013
Lover of Life may we love this life each and every day! May every heart wake this morning and shine forth, gladdening the Holy and this creation, ready to serve goodness and mercy with generosity and
Religion
White Men Can’t Jump Out of the Frying Pan That Easily
If you don’t know who Tony Jones is, you should google him. He’s a well-known, highly respected, and often sought-after voice in Emergent Christianity on topics related to theology. He’s […]
Religion Theology racism Written Reflections Church Leaders organized religion unorganized religion African Americans emergent christianity privilege tony jones
Whoa Nellie...
So, horses are back. As farm animals. Once again the oracle of all matters, the NYTimes, lured me in with a long long at the return of draft horses to the farm.. Now, except for a brief ride on a ho
AWAKENING & SAMADHI IN ZEN A Review of Gregory Shepherd’s Memoir “A Straight Road With 99 Curves”
AWAKENING & SAMADHI IN ZEN A Review of Gregory Shepherd’s A Straight Road With 99 Cures: Coming of Age on the Zen Path James Ishmael Ford When I was asked if I would be willing to review a new book by
Uncategorized
A time of growing cruelty
In a recent post on her blog, Alice Walker writes about how the FBI has called Assata Shakur a terrorist. At one point in the post, Walker, being a poet, diverges from commentary on current events int
Meditations Political culture
"We are not that we are, nor do we treat or esteem each other for such, but for that we are capable..."
“We are not that we are, nor do we treat or esteem each other for such, but for that we are capable of being.” - Henry David Thoreau (Transcendentalist, Unitarian, surveyor, philosopher, naturalist)
Stepping Aside For New Leadership
Twenty years is a good run for a mayor to shape the life of a community. I want to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Jennings for his service to Albany. I’ve enjoyed working with him on projects in
general commentary Albany Jerry Jennings new mayor
A Bad Day for Theocracy (14 May 2013, marriage equality Minnesota)
A bad day for creeds; a bad day for stares; a bad day for blind obedience to blundering oracles, as Henry put it long ago. A bad day for obedience. A bad day for “act like us.” Why not, Ralph asked, l
Uncategorized marriage equality freedom creed Emerson theocracy Thoreau
Morning Prayer May 17, 2013
Abiding Love, turn us to follow your graciousness in all things, into the bustling byways of hard-heartedness in order to make a helpful difference. Teach us what it is to abide and sustain as as we h
Religion
Afraid to lose ourselves
Be the change you want to see. What we need is a world that operates by the values of liberality: openness, reverence, honesty, humility, gratitude and generosity, self-possession, solidarity. We need
Katz and Dawgs
A young woman I know who wants to remain anonymous sent this to me. She is feeling a little outrage about the plea deal Rep. Steve Katz got for possession of marijuana in a car. She wrote this littl
general commentary legalization possession of marijuana Steve Katz
Consent
My friend recently shared an article that complained about dog lovers foisting their animals on the non-dog-loving public. Although I am a ridiculously passionate dog lover, I have to say I agree. Peo
relationships women's issues rape respect civility privacy
