Category Archives: Social Justice

One Fine Day

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Jeff

“I complete my tasks, one by one. I remove my masks, when I am done..” David Byrne and Brian Eno One Fine Day: David Byrne Performs His Hymn of Optimism and Countercultural Anthem of Resistance and Resilience with the Brooklyn … Continue reading →

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Beauty in the Storm

Posted on July 18, 2020 by Jeff

David Brooks preached a sermon in the National Cathedral on July 4, 2020. It is the most powerful sermon I’ve heard in a long time. It’s unswervingly Jesus’ message from the standpoint of the reality on the ground for the … Continue reading →

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Textual vs. Graphical

Posted on June 28, 2020 by Jeff

I’m a visual learner. I’m more likely to remember something if I see if, text or pictures, than if I hear it. If I encounter a podcast, I look for the transcript. Occasionally, I’ll listen to the podcast if I … Continue reading →

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Nick Cave: What are your plans for the corona pandemic?

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Jeff

Nick Cave (of the Bad Seeds) writes a blog, The Red Hand Files, answering questions from readers, usually several at a time. I don’t know his music, but I like how he thinks. I’m writing an essay on “How I’m … Continue reading →

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How We Broke the World: Black Elephants

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Jeff

As I look back over the last 20 years, what all four of these global calamities have in common is that they are all “black elephants,” a term coined by the environmentalist Adam Sweidan. A black elephant is a cross … Continue reading →

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Corona Creatives – Austin History Center

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Jeff

The Austin History Center is soliciting materials for their “The COVID-19 Files: Austin Responds to a Pandemic” archives. Their archivists encourage you to keep a journal, write poetry, pen a script, draw or paint, start a video or audio blog … Continue reading →

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Youth ministry isn’t about fun

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Jeff

Excellent and moving story in the Christian Century about how a youth group was transformed by moving to a story telling format for people of all ages.

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Niebuhr on Preaching

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Jeff

I hope my preaching will comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Reinhold Niebuhr This was one of the meditations today in the worship service. It is catchy, memorable, and a nice play on words. I don’t like it for … Continue reading →

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Desperately Made Boats

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Jeff

“How could they go to sea in such flimsy craft?” Ruptured pontoon replaced by one of reeds. Motor with enough gas to carry them beyond small arms fire, trailing the smell of war. Joseph fleeing in the night with wife … Continue reading →

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Mid-Course Corrections

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Jeff

Out beyond ideas of right and wrong there is a field. I’ll meet you there. – Rumi There are several models of spiritual/social/emotional development, e.g Fowler’s Stage of Faith, Ken Wilbur’s Integral Psychology, and Deepak Chopra’s How to Know God. … Continue reading →

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