Mark Twain once said, “Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.” There’s wisdom in that as far as it goes, but it doesn’t go very far. Each on of us has specific fears in our lives. Some may be shared by nearly all [...]
As a man, I am with this post venturing way out of my area of either expertise or existential knowledge. But bear with me and I’ll try to explain my compulsion to do so in spite of my non-qualifications! I don’t track celebrities much. But Angelina Jolie’s decision to [...]
Is there any word or sentiment which is off limits these days? Last week, talk radio shrieker Pete Santilli accused Hillary Clinton of being involved with the killing of American troops in Benghazi, Libya. And then he offered this: “I want to shoot her right in the vagina and I [...]
We join with Christians worldwide remembering the town of Moore Oklahoma, and would ask those reading these words to pray for them. As President Obama said, “Our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today. And we will back up those prayers with deeds for as long as it takes.” [...]
Wendell Berry Oh how my whole being loves your Sabbath, Wendell An act of worship to walk those forest trails How close you seem to the God of creation Immersed in what He made But I have a question: Does God require the absence of humanity Before He will [...]
[Here's an oldie-goldie from my still-extant but no longer updated blog exploring Christian feminism, "Are Men Really Human?"] Today, a dear friend unintentionally brought me face to face with my own anger. I had sent her links to an article blasting her ministry as unbiblical and “liberal.” Indignant, I was [...]
I have known Hoda Elsharkawi for some time, introduced to her via my cousin Karen who herself converted to Islam just 3 months before the horrors of 9/11/01. Hoda, her husband, and their children live near Boston. As someone who is Muslim, American, and a Bostonian, I believe Hoda offers [...]
We join with Christians worldwide remembering the town of Moore Oklahoma, and would ask those reading these words to pray for them. As President Obama said, “Our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today. And we will back up those prayers with deeds for as long as it takes.” [...]
I’m no stranger to poverty, having spent the first five years of my life in shady Philadelphia neighborhoods with an alcoholic mother who was nearly destitute. My older brothers did what they had to do, watching me, making sure I was dressed, and feeding me ketchup sandwiches because sometimes that’s [...]
Eden and I are doing homework. He does a lot of it out loud because he has the family trait that he is brilliant verbally but writing things down is almost impossible. Sage has the same thing. I think I did, too. We are highly verbal, abstract, creative and terribly [...]
I wrote this late at night a couple nights ago. I’ll post more pics in a bit! Thanks for stopping by. -Glenn Kaiser Tonight I lie on a warm sleeping bag listening to the surf and wafts of wind blowing in through the woods on the western shore of Lake [...]
Wendell Berry Oh how my whole being loves your Sabbath, Wendell An act of worship to walk those forest trails How close you seem to the God of creation Immersed in what He made But I have a question: Does God require the absence of humanity Before He will [...]
[Here's an oldie-goldie from my still-extant but no longer updated blog exploring Christian feminism, "Are Men Really Human?"] Today, a dear friend unintentionally brought me face to face with my own anger. I had sent her links to an article blasting her ministry as unbiblical and “liberal.” Indignant, I was [...]
Sometimes, nothing but a blatant plug will do it. And here’s a little Uptown Chicago gem… JPUSA’s Citizen Skate Cafe. Yes, soon they will be relocating across the street into the new 935 W. Wilson digs. But as of now, they await you at 920 W. Wilson with some of [...]
There’s a man going through your dust bin Only this time he’s looking for food There’s a tear in his eye, you don’t know him Oh but you know what he’s going through Ain’t it funny that you can’t seem to help him Bein’ sick as he staggers away Is [...]
It is Christmas. Jude and I are not eating with family and friends, because it is a little too noisy and a little too bright. Someone is saving me a plate, they always do, because I spend many holiday meals with Jude. I don’t mind that much. Jude wanted to [...]
5/6/2013 Do We Have a ‘Macedonian Call’? Christians vary in their understanding of just what “God’s Call” consists of. Curt Mortimer offers a whole lot of common ground for all of us to walk out in this encouraging, challenging message. (Click arrow at left of sermon link to play and/or [...]
Read more ›When I heard about the Boston marathon bombings — it happened via TV in a North Dakota seniors’ residence my wife’s parents live in — tears lept to my eyes and that terrible, familiar taste of 9/11 rage rose up inside. This time there was no creepy Osama bin Laden [...]
Read more ›I have known Hoda Elsharkawi for some time, introduced to her via my cousin Karen who herself converted to Islam just 3 months before the horrors of 9/11/01. Hoda, her husband, and their children live near Boston. As someone who is Muslim, American, and a Bostonian, I believe Hoda offers [...]
Read more ›I am part of an online writers group, and to honor National Poetry Month we challenged our members to take a risk, do something new, and try to pen some poetry. As an added incentive we proposed to compile the collection into an eBook. It was an honor and a [...]
Read more ›I’m no stranger to poverty, having spent the first five years of my life in shady Philadelphia neighborhoods with an alcoholic mother who was nearly destitute. My older brothers did what they had to do, watching me, making sure I was dressed, and feeding me ketchup sandwiches because sometimes that’s [...]
Read more ›Our JPUSA Messages page now includes the ongoing Stations of the Cross series, presented by various members of the Jesus People USA community at church services over the past month and a half. We pray this Easter season will be one of deep thought and Holy Encounter with Christ and [...]
Read more ›Years ago I was on an email list for the Bruderhof community. It was mostly a daily devotional from writers like Johann Christoph Arnold. One day there was a poem. But it wasn’t just a poem. It was a prayer. It has become my yearly spring wake-up call. The words [...]
Read more ›Eden and I are doing homework. He does a lot of it out loud because he has the family trait that he is brilliant verbally but writing things down is almost impossible. Sage has the same thing. I think I did, too. We are highly verbal, abstract, creative and terribly [...]
Read more ›I’m not a restful person. In fact, I’m the opposite. I’m restless. I fidget. I zone out. I am easily bored. I like to have plans and projects and possibilities. Even, especially, at night, I can’t stop. My brain doesn’t shut off. EVER. It’s like a machine in [...]
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