It’s a Yiddish proverb, meaning roughly that while we scurry around trying to mold our lives into a certain shape, we fail to acknowledge that there are unknown forces/random chance at work that are likely to derail our efforts. I don’t know that we should view that as proof of a toying God, or that …
Lessons from Faith
Providence; Or, how God is still speaking
I am a member of a UCC church – United Church of Christ, a blend of Congregational, Christian, Evangelical and Reformed denominations. We roll fairly liberal, siding with progressive just-causes and civil equality since the mid-17th century. Some may think this makes us “Christianity-lite.” Others don’t think much of us at all, lumping us in …
Surprise Ending
There is a story I know about what happens when someone ordinary proposes an extraordinary idea. So extraordinary that it completely rocks the foundations of all politics, societal conventions, and economic pursuits. It’s a simple concept, but a real axis-tilter. This idea sprouts from a decision to reject systems that oppress people based on a …
Metamorphosis
Milkweed is an invasive plant, one that can grow to five feet tall and then releases its seeds in a snowstorm of burst pods in late summer. They proliferate and their roots grow deep. I know this because I used to pull them out every growing season, the milky white poison splattering and running down …
Letterpress, giving, pinecones, and fractals (keep up)
This week in Letterpress class, I finally printed a real project. It is a bookmark to commemorate a mission at my church, the Giving Tree. You might know the Shel Silverstein children’s book of the same name, about giving, pretty much until it hurts, out of love. The Giving Tree at church has collected hygiene …
Letterpress, giving, pinecones, and fractals (keep up)Read More
One For The Big Guy
Who misses the old Times Square? Fifteen years ago, Mayor Rudy Giuliani directed the New York City police department to crack down on panhandling, along with offenses such as public urination and loitering. New York City is arguably cleaner and more welcoming without the aggressive begging and “squeegee terrorists” – street people who would clean …
Soap Box Optional
Talking in church Today I spoke in front of my church congregation. Twice. I went out on a limb, about going out on a limb. I get my God-on at a fairly liberal protestant denomination, a United Church of Christ. Churches like to say that they are inclusive and welcoming. UCC churches go a step …