Tag Archives: Faith

Easter 3 B: Ambiguity and the Sense and Sensibility of Faith

Posted on April 12, 2021 by John

The Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter are: First Reading         Acts 3:12–19 Psalm                    Psalm 4 New Testament     1 John 3:1–7 Gospel                   Luke 24:36b–48 Ambiguity drives us to distraction. We want black and white answers to … Continue reading →

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The Household Power Structure Changes!

Posted on December 16, 2020 by John

Pictured here are Connie, with Sméagol the cat, and Nell the sheepdog. I’m John, taking the photo. In the life of Heatherhope Farm, over the 18 years of its existence, Sméagol has run things inside the house. He meows like … Continue reading →

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Good Shepherd Sunday

Posted on May 6, 2020 by John

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is, famously, Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel reading for this Sunday is John 10.1-10.   I was asked to provide a video from our sheep farm that would give a little insight as to what … Continue reading →

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Watching Dogs in the Cold—Musings on the Widow’s Mite

Posted on November 7, 2018 by John

This past Thursday through Sunday (November 1-4), Connie and I hosted our latest dog clinic, with Gordon Watt presiding as trainer and teacher. I’m certain some people driving by on Airport Road on Sunday, spotted our little crowd of people, … Continue reading →

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Say “No” To Fear

Posted on February 28, 2017 by John

Remember those, “No Fear,” decals that young, tough men used to put on their pick-ups? Let’s bring them back and retool them to read, “No to fear.” Talking with friends lately it is obvious that there is a great sadness … Continue reading →

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Evangelism as Deprogramming

Posted on March 17, 2015 by John

    Last night was a night of inspiration. Six motivated laypeople and I were discussing what good doctrine might teach us about current practices in our congregations, and the conversation turned to evangelism. We returned to two ideas we … Continue reading →

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Jim Smith, Julie Cork, and Real Faith

Posted on December 26, 2013 by John

A 26 year-old hipster comedian held forth on Comedy Central a couple of weeks ago. My wife and I laughed at him for a few minutes as he did his impressions of drunk young women and his friend who acted … Continue reading →

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Biblical Politics Favors Authority Over Authoritarianism

Posted on July 10, 2012 by John

It is indeed an ugly thing when religious leaders, who claim to be guided by their allegiance to a Higher Authority in heaven, are indeed slaves to political ideologies that beat like waves, back and forth upon the face of … Continue reading →

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Knowing and Not Knowing: The Holy Trinity

Posted on June 2, 2012 by John

Tomorrow is Holy Trinity Sunday. I believe the best thing about the doctrine of the Trinity is its nod to unknowing. The early church beat back several attempts to make the knowledge of God manageable. Gnostics wanted to  have a … Continue reading →

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Prayerfully Gathering with Spot

Posted on February 2, 2012 by John

February 2, 2012                 As an apprentice sheepdog, Spot has had a tumultuous work history. With the help of the insights from three of the very best sheepdog trainers in the world, Bobby Dalziel, Aled Owen and Gordon Watt, I … Continue reading →

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