In the horrific wake of mass shootings and any number of unfathomable human acts resulting in searing loss and grief, it has become common to hear and read the phrase, “thoughts and prayers.” The phrase however – hopefully well-intended by most of those who use it – is another casualty to mass shootings. Instead of…
Just like tens of millions of other human beings, our granddaughter greatly enjoys playing the video game, “Minecraft.” On those occasions when she needs a reason that will be judged acceptable by her parents for granting her additional screen time, she will ask permission of them to conduct a Minecraft demonstration session for me. I…
In 1974, writing an essay entitled, “Cloud of Smoke, Pillar of Fire, “ Rabbi Irving Greenberg composed and suggested a principle to be followed by anyone writing or speaking about God. It is this: No statement, theological or otherwise, should be made that would not be credible in the presence of burning children. The context…
For several reasons Norman McClean’s story, “A River Runs Through It” and the subsequent motion picture that was made from that novel, holds a revisited space in our home. I often think of the lines near the end of the book spoken by the elder Rev. McClean about helping others and as remembered by his…
Some weeks ago, CBS 60 Minutes had a segment interviewing Baltimore Ravens place kicker, Justin Tucker. He was on their interview list because Tucker has a 91% accuracy rate as a field goal kicker, is considered the best ever place kicker in the NFL, and has even managed to kick the longest field goal on record…
Every human being on this planet born since 1945 is living under a cloud; a mushroom cloud. Most all of us know what this cloud looks like. We have seen the pictures. Even the pictures are terrifying to see. Particularly the ones which record the atomic bomb drops at the end of World War II…
Yesterday was the annual observance of Valentine’s Day. People were lined up (as I was), in a florist shop to buy flowers for that special someone or someones in their lives. In the evening restaurants were full of couples and friends sharing a special night out together. Last week many school kids shared “Be My…
On September 8, 1974, then President Gerald Ford granted his immediate presidential predecessor, Richard Nixon, a “full, free, and absolute pardon” for any crimes he may have committed against the United States as president. The pardon not only ended the Watergate scandal in terms of any impeachment trial of Nixon in the United States Senate,…
Following nearly 100 years of Syrian occupation and physical exile in Babylon for many Hebrew people, ancient Israel as a nation had a political and national rebirth. The biblical book, Ezra-Nehemiah, is an historical faith record of that national rebirth. Ezra was a priest and scribe (one who cared for the long forgotten sacred texts)…
Taking down the Christmas Tree, packing away the ornaments in their respective storage boxes, and putting away all the Christmas decorations for another year is a very difficult day. First of all, IT TAKES A WHOLE DAY and sometimes spills over to the better part of the next…even without procrastination. Second, it is an emotionally…