Category Archives: politics

Zephaniah: one tough read

(You may prefer first to read the I Will section at the end of this post.) I love the Bible—having read it, learned it by heart, taught it, preached and (I hope) lived up to it all my days. I believe … Continue reading

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Birdsong and Hope

Today scientists sound more like the old fashioned “the end is near” preachers than most preachers do. Scientists note the changes taking place in the earth and speak of a possible mass extinction event. One of these occurred 65 million … Continue reading

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Hollow cake

I tried my baking skills the other day. I had an orange-cranberry muffin mix, which called for an added cup of water. Flush with the success of earlier efforts, I added a protein booster whey powder, a couple eggs, and two … Continue reading

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Beauty and the Tyrant

Why bother with Arenas? A comment follows this quotation. Quoting Reinaldo Arenas, Before Night Falls (1993): “At the [Cuban] National Library in 1969 Lezama [Lima] gave a reading of perhaps one of the most extraordinary essays of Cuban literature under … Continue reading

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In Spirit and Truth

I always get into what I’m reading. I’ve been wanting some biography, and happened on Before Night Falls through a book list. It’s a memoir of Reinaldo Arenas, Cuban poet, freedom fighter and gay activist. Not the kind of book you’d … Continue reading

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If as Christ prayed “We are One,” then what does our Solidarity mean?

I continue reading Bonhoeffer slowly. He wrote that freedom in Christ is not selfish narcissism. No—we are free for others. I come more and more to believe the Western idolizing of the rugged individual, the Marlboro man, is pathological. My friend … Continue reading

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A Cannibal’s Hope

Recently I had my big toenails removed, so I started the day daubing hydrogen peroxide on the wounds. Then, letting my toes air out, I brewed some coffee. I experimented, for 15 seconds on High nuking a square of Dove dark … Continue reading

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Letter to an Invisible President

The invisible coffins of our honored war dead arriving at Dover AFB. The Pentagon banned photographs like this one. Monday 3 November 2008 Dear George: in a few hours, Americans will begin voting for your successor as President of the United … Continue reading

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In America any child can grow up to be President!

In his endorsement of Barack Obama. General Colin Powell referred to Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, a young American patriot, age 14 on September 11, 2001. One in four people in Texas believe Barack Obama is a Muslim! Barack Obama’s a … Continue reading

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Before you cast an historic vote…

I seldom address politics, but in this once in a century moment, I’ll make an exception. I literally want to talk to you about the election— talk since I’m dictating my comments.  Many readers agree with me politically but there … Continue reading

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