And so. Let’s not downplay the importance of words, of dialogue, of argument. The ancient Hebrews believed that it was through words that the world was created, through the breath of the Spirit that the soil—including you and me—came to be. Words are vital, life-giving, soul transforming agents of change in our lives and our … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 9–Prophets of Light
Sometimes you get the sense that someone else is simply trying to pin you down. They ask what news agency you follow, what authors you read, who you voted for in the last election. Their intent is to label you, jam you in a box, usually with the intent of writing you off. Conversations around … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 8–What We Must Pin Down When Everyone Else Is Trying To Pin Us Down
One of my favorite field trips as a boy was going to Stinson Beach and seeing the life that thrived in the tide pools. Around the large rocks that dotted the Northern California coast, these “pools” would form that were inhabited by sea anemones, star fish, barnacles, and other mysterious life. These pools of life … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 7–Sometimes You Have to Wait for the Tide to Go Out
One of the great developments of my lifetime, hands down now, is the reduction in homework given to grade school children. My son and daughter do way less homework than I did at grades well below where they are now. And no, this isn’t a moment to brag about walking uphill both ways in the … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 6–Do Your Homework! (You Know, Before Screen Time)
You can learn a lot when talking with your friends about beer. A number of years back now, my wife and I were having dinner with a couple from our faith community. The subject of beer came up, and our friends suddenly went on and on about the evils of alcohol, beer, wine, etc. And … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 5–What I Learned from Talking with My Friends about Beer
One of the most remarkable things people believed about Jesus very early on was that he was the purest reflection of what God is really like. Believe it or not, thousands of years ago, people had divergent and conflicting ideas of what God was like. Even among the Jewish people, from whom Jesus came. For … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 4–The Ancient Art of Truthing
Sometimes I catch myself fantasizing about who I would like to cut out of my life. I don't fantasize about their death, just their disappearance. I mean, not in a kidnapped-and-taken-to-Siberia kind of way, but in a, “Oh, you’re moving? That’s too bad” kind of way. Gone from my air space. Gone from my face vision. … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 3–Good People with Good Intentions
Sometimes, when you are in the moment, you fail to recognize the gravity of it. And sometimes…you get it. As I was at my computer, working away the other day, I realized that my wife was receiving her very last treatment for cancer. While I was sitting in my office. I grabbed my keys and … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 2–Dark Cloud Mode
One of the criticisms leveled at social media platforms such as Facebook is that they inherently encourage us to portray a picture of ourselves only at our best. Perhaps we could call it the new “Sunday Smile”. We post pictures of our best moments at the beach, or at the barbecue, at the rally or … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 1—It’s Time To Talk About Heresy