• Why The Walking Dead Is Not As Cynical As You Are

    Why The Walking Dead Is Not As Cynical As You Are

    or The Gospel According to The Walking Dead [NOTE: Some series and season 5 spoilers follow.] It seems as if The Walking Dead brings out the most cynical side of us. It shouldn’t surprise me that a show about the post-apocalyptic world of zombie infestation would tread regularly into the hopelessness of nihilism. This was particularly true…

  • Being Where GOD Will Be

    Being Where GOD Will Be

    That is our certainty. It is found being where GOD is. Where GOD says GOD will be. It isn’t found in our stated beliefs or creeds or political affiliation or what our Sunday School teachers taught us about GOD: it is about how we treat the powerless and the defenseless.

  • Untalented

    Untalented

    How the talents Jesus speaks of aren’t really gifts a Homily for Proper 28A   |  Text: Matthew  23:34-39 And the master rewards this behavior (dare we say, stealing) of the first two slaves. They know what this man is like. Chances are, they take on this behavior. Think The Wolf of Wall Street and the…

  • Your Nostalgia Campaign is Too On the Nose

    Your Nostalgia Campaign is Too On the Nose

    The sign on a local McDonald’s reads: Famous faves priced to save Something about this line strikes me wrong. Very much so.

  • Gathered by the Spirit

    Finding and reclaiming our common purpose in Terre Haute a Homily for a special evensong  |  Text: 1 Peter 2:1-9 [Last night St. Stephen’s gathered for evensong with our neighbors from St. George’s in West Terre Haute. It was a wonderful gathering of mutual celebration and commitment that marks a big anniversary for the Episcopal Church’s…

  • For the Great Creator

    For the Great Creator

    Stephen, Righteous Abel, and the blessing of creativity a Homily for St. Stephen’s Day (observed)  |  Text: Matthew  23:34-39 And yet GOD never said he didn’t appreciate Cain’s gift! GOD just loves being surprised. GOD loves to see us stretch ourselves and try new things and use all of our gifts and currencies to express our…

  • Bringing Death Out of the Shadows: Brittany Maynard and self-determination

    Bringing Death Out of the Shadows: Brittany Maynard and self-determination

    In making her struggles and decisions about death public, Brittany Maynard has invited a welcome conversation about death and dying. Now, I suspect many wouldn’t call the conversation “welcome”. Others welcome the opportunity to shame and shun rather than converse. For many in the church, it is an opportunity to shake our heads and say…

  • When Subtraction Mimics Progress

    When Subtraction Mimics Progress

    Whenever the U.S. holds a national election, there is much evaluation, haranguing, and prediction. We are reminded often that midterms always have a different character than presidential elections, but that knowledge is thrown out the window in the fever of gloating and sorrow. The most popular prediction this time, and the one I have often subscribed…