Tag Archives: politics

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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Pentecost 15a: Distanced, Different, But Not Divided

Posted on September 9, 2020 by John

The Second Reading for this Sunday is Romans 14:1-12   It contains words such as ideas: Welcome, and do not judge others who have different convictions, and live differently than you. Leave the judging to God, who is, after all, … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 13a: Love beyond the Mask

Posted on August 25, 2020 by John

The second reading for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost is Romans 12:9–21; and it starts off with this challenging and profoundly simple idea: “Let love be genuine.” And the word for “genuine” means “no play acting.”   Daniel Schorr, the … Continue reading →

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Celebrating an Honorable and Vital Nation

Posted on July 5, 2020 by John

As I transitioned from high school to college I had a burning desire to enter into politics. My patriotism burned hot.   On the wall of my bedroom were hung two replicas of paintings that I had paid a good … Continue reading →

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Farm Life and Our Desperate Need of Governing

Posted on February 22, 2020 by John

One thing is for certain on a farm: No one can do it alone. If I had to do the farm chores every day by myself, the way I must do them when my wife is off on business, or … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Lessons Pentecost 23 A

Posted on November 8, 2017 by John

We had a spirited discussion today in our weekly Bible study of area pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It was fed by a feeling of dread about recent signs of sickness in our society. One of … Continue reading →

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What Lives Matter? What Truths Matter?

Posted on October 31, 2017 by John

What is it that feeds resentment in today’s political climate? National Public Radio’s David Greene in a piece that ran on NPR’s Morning Edition on October 30, 2017, asked a woman named Jessica, who lives in southern Virginia, and is also … Continue reading →

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Seek Truth or Shut Up

Posted on June 23, 2016 by John

What a miraculous time to be alive! Anyone with a smart phone can broadcast photos of cute puppies, videos or their friends prancing or pranking…or their opinions. Opinion is too wimpy a word for it. Anyone and everyone can share … Continue reading →

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Jesus, Save Us From Your Followers!

Posted on November 10, 2012 by John

I take the title of this post from a bumper sticker I saw years ago. It should make a comeback. The 2012 election has made many cultural shifts in America obvious. Not least of these is the diminishment of the … Continue reading →

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Healing the Body Politic

Posted on October 3, 2012 by John

  Sometimes it takes a painful, physical experience to unlock an imprisoned mind.  It was early sunrise the day after our country’s birthday.  I had hardly slept a wink that night.  Now I was on my way to the hospital … Continue reading →

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