web analytics

I Don’t Need Red Letters

Advent Day #3 – “Focus”

Red lettering is sometimes used by Bible printers to signify the words of Jesus. Some only highlight the words of Historical Jesus, words attributed to Jesus, living as human. Others attribute anything that God has said in red lettering. And there is every kind of color-coding in between.

But I find myself losing focus sometimes when I read a Bible with red lettering or footnotes in much the same way that I turn down the volume of music in the car when I’m searching for my destination. A Bible in all black text or even on a screen allows me to focus more. I’ve discovered the myth of multitasking and appreciate that my best efforts–at work, at prayer, at being present, even washing my hands, are performed better with focus.

And that’s what I want to do more of this Advent season–give myself the gift of focusing more on what God means to me and how I can serve the world as a member of God’s church.

Watching Without First Waiting.

Advent Day #2 – “WATCH”

Today’s reflection is a stark reminder to watch without first having to wait. So many times I watch for entertainment or to occupy myself while waiting. Watching to see God in the ordinary and to hear the grace notes that life’s music is playing is something that I would like to do more. There’s happiness, awe, wonder, and satisfaction all from mindfully watching the world around me.

O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Journey I Witnessed


Advent 2018: Day #1 – “Journey”

Reflecting on JOURNEY this first day of Advent. I’ve taken many but the most rewarding is the journey I watched my sons take from childhood to adulthood. It was my privilege to watch them become excellent people on that journey.

O God, support them in their successes and in their failures, in their joys and in their sorrows. As they grow in age, may they grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Supreme Nominations

My conservative friends are outraged over the politics surrounding the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh.

No one can yet explain why. I think it has to do with “libtards” and fake news conspiring about a man accused of sexual assault. Then they talk about Dianne Feinstein like they pay attention to her outside this issue.

None of us (probably) are conversant with the rules of the Senate related to advise and consent. I’m not, and I’m a politics geek.

But it’s important for you to consider facts while remembering that Judge Douglas Ginsburg was forced to withdraw his name for a Supreme Court justiceship after it was disclosed that he smoked marijuana in college and after.

Robert Bork, who allowed Watergate to continue by being President Nixon’s Justice Department henchman, was also denied a seat on the court.

And, of course, Judge Merrick Garland was nominated for the Supreme Court and denied because, well, the Senate Republicans didn’t want anyone other than a Republican to appoint the next justice. There was no other reason.

So listen, please share your opinions with everyone near and far but spare us from the phony outrage. Neil Gorsuch sailed through his nomination on a seat that the GOP Senate admits it blocked the president from filling. He appointed a nominee when a justice died, and they refused to vote.

That’s not whataboutism. That’s I don’t know the rules, and neither do you. So y’all need to chill. Even if Kavanaugh isn’t given this honor and authority over all our lives, the current president would nominate another, different conservative judge.

We all understand that, which is why Neil Gorsuch’s nomination was approved. I’ve watched all of Dr. Ford’s testimony and all of Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony. His partisanship–he actually complained about ‘the Clintons’ while testifying–is enough to immediately disqualify him.

Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, a lifelong Republican agrees.

” I’ve changed my views for reasons that have no relationship to his intellectual ability … I feel his performance in the hearings ultimately changed my mind,” said Stevens, who was unanimously approved and served in the Supreme Court for 35 years.

Justices can have personal beliefs, but they’re not supposed to be political partisans. And since I (and probably you) don’t know the rules about sending or sharing information about Senator Feinstein’s actions any more than I do, kindly calm down about the whole thing.

It looks like Kavanaugh’s nomination will go through. That’s a shame because I don’t think he has a judicial temperament, that he’s willing to be unbiased, or that he is being truthful in his testimony.

That’s it, I’m good. Use facts when you argue. Since no one outside legal circles knew about Kavanaugh before his nomination, let’s all chill on ‘he’s the best person for the job’ nonsense. There’s a list on the president’s own website of potential justices. (protip–Kavanaugh’s name wasn’t on the first two versions)