Blog
Mystery and Sacrament in Animal Eyes
Betty’s eyes, and the eyes of all animals, draw us into the mystery and sacrament of God’s love in Christ.
Jimmy Carter and the American Character
At Heatherhope we thank God for the life of Jimmy Carter, and mourn his death.
Solstice Dawn: I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining.
Dawn after darkest day of winter solstice reminds us that light conquers darkness, and God’s love is something we can trust in.
Betty in Alfalfa: Dogs Keep Us Sane
Thirteen year old Betty has survived two periods of grave ill health. She keeps on keeping on to give us joy, love, and sanity in times of insanity.
Election Postmortem: Did Democrats Lose Because They Are Elite? Should We Speak The Truth In Love If It Annoys People?
The post-election blame game is on. And blaming Democrats for being elite popular. Condescension is wrong. But we don’t become condescending elites just by bothering others with the truth. If the truth hurts us we can grow up and learn from it. Democrats and all of us should always speak the truth in love.
Time To Do More: Reactions to Election 2024
I’m ashamed that Americans have believed lies and surrendered to tactics of fear and hate. But now is the time to do more to protect the vulnerable and awaken America to it’s better angels.
God Made Twilight Too
Sunset on September 17, 2024, reminds us that God made twilight, not just day and night. Perhaps is telling us something through the ordered disorder of nature.
First Reactions to Harris Trump Debate
Kamala Harris was extremely successful debating Donald Trump. I would only urge her and her campaign to point out how destructive anti-immigrant lies are to real human beings, and to clearly name Trump's worldview as pure fantasy that poses a great threat to the nation.
God’s Word Changes Us: Pentecost 17 B Mark 8:27-38
God's Word speaks to us from the Bible to help us grow in our relationship to God. It changes us from wanting the world to bless us to wanting to be used by a loving God to bless the world.
Always The Right Time for A Rainbow
Rainbows, especially double ones, always kindle fresh joy in our hearts.
Dump the Dysfunctional Republican Party
Democrats proved to be the functional party by quickly persuading Biden to drop out of this year's presidential race. Republicans showed themselves dysfunctional by failing, for ten years, to renounce the infantile and anti-democratic ways of Donald Trump.
God is Human, Only More So
God is human, only more so. The divine and human come together in God and Jesus. And in us, when we follow our instincts about the "more so" of human kindness and love.
Humanize God: Pentecost 14 B John 6:56-69 and Joshua 24:18
Holy Communion, done right, keeps us from dehumanizing God by letting the God of flesh and blood turn back into mere words.
High on Joy and Love: Pentecost 13B Ephesians 5:15-20
We all seek the high of being carried away to something bigger than ourselves. Fake highs leave us empty. God's genuine high is with the Spirit of joy and love of all others.
Woke on the Farm
Being woke isn't bad. It opens us to what nature and nature's God are telling us. We need each other, and we need the beautiful balance of Creation.
Scattering and Gathering: Pentecost 9 B Jeremiah 23, Psalm 23, Mark 6:34
Jeremiah, the Psalmist, and Jesus agree that gathering is good and scattering evil. And God is in the business of gathering.
Heatherhope Prairie Restoration’s First Glory
Pollinators planted last year are showing their glory.