I can’t breathe
After a recent experience in New York comes this reflection on racism and the social context of our faith. I can’t breathe. At this moment, this is one of the most politically charged statements you can say in the United States. It drudges up a social context where racism and state brutality are killing innocent…
Faith vs. belief (Pt. 1)
A curious lyric caught my attention as I was listening to “Don’t Swallow the Cap,” a song by The National, a melancholic indie rock band: “I have faith but don’t believe it.” What a strange concept: faith without beliefs. It sounds like nonsense on the surface, but could there be such a thing as faith…
A Thought on Cross-cultural Learning and Faith
What does cross-cultural learning have to do with our faith? I believe it’s at the heart of the good news that Jesus taught and lived: Reconciliation with God and reconciliation with each other. These are not mutual exclusive concepts. When we reconcile with each other, we have a more full sense of who God is…
Everyday Epics
More stories of the past at Kumomoto. Stories that complex-ify. Japan not as a cohesive, evil, military power all seeking destruction of neighbouring nations, but as a land of people in various societies with each their own different story of life and love and suffering, dominance and loss. There was a civil war as recent…
Spirituality of Living Lightly
“Nowhere to lay his head…” We’ve been living lightly, moving lightly. Not that it’s been a bad experience, but we’ve been lay our heads down in a variety of places over the last six months. After getting rid of everything that did not fit in our small car, and trekking with our tent from Virginia…
Salt in the Fire
Over the last year or so, I’ve appreciated the paintings, poetry, and musings of Jan Richardson on her blog, paintedprayerbook.com. Recently, one post caught my attention, “Salted with Fire.” In a space of transition and waiting in my life, with many uncertainties as to what life will look like even a year from now, her…
