February 17, 2019 —
The National Emergency Everyone knows the famous line from the children’s fable, Chicken Little — “The sky is falling!” “The sky is falling!” So exclaims Chicken Little when an acorn falls thumping him on his noggin during a walk in the forest. But do you know the rest of the story? (as the old radio... Read More
February 14, 2019 —
As a pastor I often found myself saying some version of this to people who came to me for counsel. “I think you’re being a little hard on yourself.” That was the way I usually put it. Often, on hearing this, it seemed as if a person visibly relaxed. Recently, I had a “physician heal... Read More
February 12, 2019 —
Texas has been known as the land of big talkers and tall tales for a long time. As the joke about a Vermont farmer and a Texas rancher goes: the Vermonter was working his pasture when a Texan in a ten-gallon hat pulled up. He climbed out of his Cadillac. The Texan shouted to the... Read More
February 11, 2019 —
Monday morning. The snow has just started again. Fourth time in four days. (I did, by the way, make it back from Wenatchee, on the other side of the Cascades. A great day of skiing on Friday at Mission Ridge ski area.) A snowstorm, what the news people are calling a “weather event,” is a... Read More
February 10, 2019 —
In the last year I’ve done a couple posts about “churches for sale,” or more accurately church buildings for sale. As some denominations and congregations have shrunk, their buildings have become more albatross than advantage. Or they have closed altogether. Many old church buildings are being sold. Sometimes they are torn down. Other times re-purposed.... Read More
February 7, 2019 —
A week or two ago, my dear spouse said, “Gee, it doesn’t seem like we’ve really had winter this year.” She’s a powerful woman. But I didn’t know she could summon the seasons. Meanwhile, I taunted Seattle’s response to rumors of snow in my post on the Seattle tunnel, noting that as with many of... Read More
February 5, 2019 —
My eyes are cast toward 2020, as I imagine are those of many others tonight. Given that, what did I see? Something that made me nervous. Trump appeared relaxed, on his game and using the various tools available to a President at the SOTU: an array of appealing characters in the gallery which he highlighted... Read More
February 4, 2019 —
Conventional wisdom says “yes.” Out with racist Northam — we all agree. Certainly Virginia Democrats, who hope to capture their state’s legislative branch, would like Northam to exit stage left asap. Not to mention Democrats who want to run for President in 2020. I think Northam ought to stay put. Terrible, I know. Here’s my... Read More
February 4, 2019 —
Linda drew my attention to a fascinating article in the January edition of The New Republic. Author Eve Fairbanks argues that there are many parallels between South Africa’s ex-President Jacob Zuma and our own Donald Trump. Moreover, the post-Zuma era in South Africa (he was forced to resign in 2017) may offer some wisdom and warnings... Read More
February 3, 2019 —
On Sunday morning I joined a couple thousand of my closest friends, as well as our son Joe and grandson Colin, for Cascade Bicycle Club’s Tunnel Ride. The day before 100,000 people had either walked or run through the Tunnel after opening speeches and ribbon cutting. So lots of fun and games prior to Monday’s... Read More