Chaplainmike

Days of Planting

Some of what I’ve encountered in recent days, personally, and as a hospice chaplain… I found out that two friends, husband and wife, the man a former pastor with whom I shared a ministry, were diagnosed with Covid-19. At last report, they are not doing well, and may soon be admitted to the ER. TheyContinue reading “Days of Planting”

Privilege, silence, shalom, and a generational moment

Our Declaration of Independence declares that all people are created equal. It proceeds to clarify what “equality” means: we are all endowed with certain natural rights by our Creator. But, though we may all have those rights, not all people start life or live it on an equal footing with others. And thus we speakContinue reading “Privilege, silence, shalom, and a generational moment”

When you don’t have much to say…

When writing, I have to fight the urge to not say something when I have nothing to say… There is nothing fully formulated in my brain that is worthy of a full post, but here are a few snippets that I have been thinking about during the past week. 1. My Dad was given aContinue reading “When you don’t have much to say…”

Excerpt from “The Sins of a Nation” (Fr. Stephen Freeman)

An excerpt from “The Sins of a Nation” By Father Stephen Freeman, Glory to God for All Things Nations (and individuals) who ignore their wounds and griefs do not leave them behind – they bring them forward and repeat their battles endlessly. Subsequent generations who never knew the first cause, become the unwitting bearers ofContinue reading “Excerpt from “The Sins of a Nation” (Fr. Stephen Freeman)”

Saturday Brunch, June 6, 2020

Good morning, my friends, and welcome to the weekend. Ready for some brunch? The beauty of animals has always haunted and delighted us. The first artwork were cave sketches of animals. But George Wheelhouse takes a novel approach: “I started photographing animals against dark backgrounds due to my obsessive instinct to remove as much distractionContinue reading “Saturday Brunch, June 6, 2020”

Another Look: Our Relational God

Another Look: Our Relational God This Sunday upcoming is Trinity Sunday, the day that bridges the two main divisions of the Church Year. We have been walking through the life of Jesus from Advent to Pentecost since last November. Now, we begin the days of “Ordinary Time,” when we live out the faith daily asContinue reading “Another Look: Our Relational God”

How Satire Challenges Misconceptions about Science

How Satire Challenges Misconceptions about Science In the June issue of National Geographic there is an article by Paul Brewer and Jessica McKnight entitled, “To challenge misguided beliefs about science, try satire”. In it they show from various studies how the use of satire can change people’s minds about controversial scientific issues. They say: SinceContinue reading “How Satire Challenges Misconceptions about Science”

Using God — A Prophetic Critique

Note from Chaplain Mike I have decided to post without taking comments today. I am interested in making a statement, not having a conversation (or argument) about it in this week’s volatile atmosphere. (Besides, I think many of you chimed in about this yesterday.) Also, although politics is the context of this post, politics isContinue reading “Using God — A Prophetic Critique”

Not as bad as 1968…yet

Not as bad as 1968…yet In the past days, 1968 has emerged as a meme, a way to understand what we’re living through right now. • Zachary Karabell [In 1968] the report of the Kerner Commission, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to examine the causes of race riots in American cities in previous years,Continue reading “Not as bad as 1968…yet”

Prayers Requested

Sometimes what you plan to write during the week gets waylaid. This week I was planning a post on empathy, and my lack thereof. Rather ironically I am posting asking for empathy from others. My Dad Jim is a pretty tough cookie. I was well into middle age before I thought I was as physicallyContinue reading “Prayers Requested”