A Socio-Political Blog
I’d like to share a Christmas story. When my eldest son, Chris, was only 3, his mother and I were moving our family from Los Angeles to Iowa when we stopped by a restaurant, owned by a friend, on our way out of town. I had lost touch with Seth, the owner, for several years…
Last Sunday before church a couple of parishioners were seated in the back. We are a small congregation and we all know each other but on this day they seemed a little shy. The woman had abrasions all over her face. Her partner quickly informed me “It wasn’t me!” as I was obviously concerned. We…
The weather is turning cold and my thoughts turn to those who do not have the security of a warm home. Locally, there is good news to report as thoughtful citizens have joined with the Hospitality House to open a new warming center that can give more homeless citizens some shelter from the brutal elements…
In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln gave an address at the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield in order to reframe the cause of the Civil War. Of course, we all know of the eloquent 272-word Gettysburg Address that deserves its place as perhaps the most inspirational call to unite under a national purpose ever conceived. He…
Here are a few things I am thankful for on my 66th celebration of Thanksgiving: First and foremost, I am thankful for the health of my children and for the opportunities that lie before them. Every day I am thankful that I became a father (and a stepfather) and am still, occasionally, called to duty…
The other day I commented under a post that stated: “Taylor Swift should be mentioned in the same breath as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Paul McCartney as the greatest songwriters of the last 100 years.” I replied on the thread: “I like Taylor Swift (due to her recent socio-political stances and the fact that…
There was a Trump rally in Waterloo, Iowa yesterday. To no one’s surprise, I did not attend. I did read a couple of articles about it, however, to get a sense of what his supporters have to say. It is inconceivable to me that any sentient human being could possibly view Donald Trump as anything but…
Theologian, A H Strong, defined the human will as “the soul’s power to choose between motives and to direct its subsequent activity according to the motive thus chosen.” No better description of service could be written. That reflection strengthens our purpose; the convergence of ideas and motives reveal what kind of a servant we are.…
(This was a keynote speech to students at the UNI 2023 Harvest Conference) I’m here to start a revolution! Who’s with me? I AM here to start a revolution. A revolution of ideas. It is a revolution that will start small but could grow into a cultural phenomenon. It is a revolution born from collaboration, cooperation and kindness.…
‘Strange days, indeed” sang John Lennon in what would be his last musical statement in 1980. Yoko Ono said after Lennon’s murder that “John felt the world had lost its course.” We’ve circled the sun 43 times since, and his prophetic words seem to resonate even more today. These are, indeed, strange days. I thought…