Category Archives: Free Range Philosophy

Nothing Wasted

Posted on May 27, 2023 by John

I notice those two dead spruce trees. Should I cut them down. They take up space. They are untidy. But, the mourning dove is there now, cooing. And the red winged black bird trilling; and armies of ants up and … Continue reading →

Posted in Farm Diary, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advent 1 A: Holy Dissatisfaction

Posted on November 23, 2022 by John

The readings for the First Sunday of Advent are: Old Testament      Isaiah 2:1–5 Psalm                    Psalm 122 New Testament     Romans 13:11–14 Gospel                   Matthew 24:36–44 In his 1843 book, Fear and Trembling, the Danish philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, criticized … Continue reading →

Posted in Church and Social Movements, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lent 5 C Give Up Being a Good Christian for Lent

Posted on March 31, 2022 by John

The lessons for the Fifth  Sunday of Lent are: Old Testament      Isaiah 43:16–21 Psalm                    Psalm 126 New Testament     Philippians 3:4b–14 Gospel                   John 12:1–8 Today we delve deeply into the mystery of Lent, the mystery of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church and Social Movements, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emergence of Winter Wheat

Posted on October 9, 2021 by John

Martin Luther was smart enough to remember what we all forget. Every day we forget how great life can be if we live to the potential God has built into us. Sadder still, we forget how much God does to … Continue reading →

Posted in Border Collies, Farm Diary, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pentecost 18B: Friendship, Peace, and Social Distancing

Posted on September 22, 2021 by John

The readings for this 18th Sunday after Pentecost are Old Testament      Numbers 11:4–6, 10–16, 24–29 Psalm                    Psalm 19:7–14 New Testament     James 5:13–20 Gospel                   Mark 9:38–50 Are not the biggest twin challenges of this time the social … Continue reading →

Posted in Church and Social Movements, Faith, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Palm/Passion Sunday B: Meaning Shines Out From Steadfastness

Posted on March 24, 2021 by John

The readings for the Liturgy of the Passion: Old Testament      Isaiah 50:4–9a Psalm                    Psalm 31:9–16 New Testament     Philippians 2:5–11 Gospel                   Mark 14:1–15:47 or Mark 15:1–39 (40–47) Friedrich Nietzsche was a harsh critic of religious belief; but … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Try Being Less Spiritual and More Decent

Posted on January 1, 2019 by John

“What then should we do?” That was the cry of the crowds who were touched by John the Baptist’s message in the region of the Jordan, that God’s ax was laid at the root of the trees, and those that … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church and Social Movements, Faith, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Refugees, Trump and the Light of the World

Posted on February 5, 2017 by John

Several months ago a team of people went into my heart and fixed it. They, in fact, probed with wires right up through both an artery and a vein in both of my upper thighs, right up into my heart, … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Faith, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Immanuel Kant, and Why I Will Not Watch the Super Bowl

Posted on January 31, 2015 by John

Tomorrow all the world will tune into a gladiatorial contest. We fancy ourselves more civilized than the ancient Romans, but college and professional football are popular because of the hits. And each year the hits get harder as the linemen … Continue reading →

Posted in Border Collies, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Government Too Big or Our Interests Too Narrow?

Posted on October 20, 2014 by John

                The Republicans have hammered at it for over a century now. Libertarians refined and focused the message. The Tea Party at first was against any Big Guys picking on the little guys, but their message was co-opted.                 They … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Social Political Issues | Leave a comment