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image from Sisters of Carmel
Last year, “Unconventional” became Advent: preparing us for the radical entry of the divine into the human world, with brief thoughts on the four days leading up to Christmas. That seemed to resonate, so let’s explore one of the most haunting carols and give four answers to the question, “What Child is This?” Short posts to help you focus on one aspect of Jesus’ entry on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Here’s the first, on…
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image from Nora Carol
This post may be my most politically relevant and unyieldingly nonpartisan. A few weeks back a commentator, who’s been around since Watergate, expressed that he is more concerned about the future of our country now than at any time in his life. Why? We can’t agree on truth. We don’t seek truth. Partisans, on both sides, decry as “Fake News” anything that doesn’t match what they already want to believe. We accept, as gospel, rumors with no evidence. The divide between left and right grows. And I’m not sure electing more “people with our values” will help…
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The riddle for the day: What do you call a husband and wife when she has a Ph.D. in History, and he's an oncologist? Answer: a paradox. OK, corny and old, but cute. A paradox, in reality, is two contradictory statements when both are true. My preeminent example comes from Jesus as a double paradox, "If you save your life you'll…
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image by shutterstock.com
Many say they can worship God just as well at the beach, or the mountains, or the golf course. And, some of my most glorious worship occurs in the mountains. Immersed in the beauty of the world that God created, away from the overpowering touch of man, my ego shrinks as I get lost in God’s transcendence. But must we worship together?
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Image from Tee Public
With your forbearance, this week’s post will depart from the pattern. Just a poem. A poem that expresses many of the concerns I’ve had for some time about the practice of our faith. A poem where I ask you to think, to pray, to ponder, to reflect. I would love to read your thoughts, either on Facebook or on the Unconventional site. Agree fully, disagree fully. Agree or disagree in part. Or questions. Concerns. Uncertainty. Yeah, pretty free wheelin’, like a long bike trip should be. What prompted this? We…
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image by Priyesh Hiwaley
At its core, worship celebrates the reality that God has more innate worth than anything we can find in heaven or earth. Our English word comes from “worthyship,” so in worship by definition we focus on him. Get that well, it forms the foundation of all that will follow. Similarly, the most common Greek word for worship is “proskuneo” (Matthew 4:10 for one example), to fall at the feet in adoration, or to acknowledge that God is our superior. That concept scares me. Greatly.
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image by Jamie Tedesco of Taos, IG jtedesco8877
My two years in Taos shaped my life and gave me a purpose and direction. I often reflect on its influence, and often miss those days. Without regrets, yet I still miss it. The dry powder of Taos Ski Valley. The eager trout just below it. Sopapillas at Michael’s Kitchen. A bowl of green chile at the Kit Carson Café. The First Baptist Church, who loved me back into the ministry. And the sunsets and sunrises! Jamie Tedesco has become a Facebook friend through another great Taos friend, Jeff Boyer.This pic of Jamie’s of an Easter sunrise provides…
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Jesus has startled me on more than once, but he likely maxed that out with “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” OK, no jokes about me making God’s job easier. The first pic shows me at 27, with a red tank top and a full head of hair. The second shows me this year, how I’ve “gained face” over the years. Yeah, the times they have changed me. And while I don’t doubt Jesus meant this literally, it also serves as a greater metaphor. A greater metaphor with two primary facets …
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