joy in Jewish and Christian wisdom This year, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Adar, the final month of the Hebrew calendar, begin on the same day. Lent, as is commonly portrayed, is a season of self-flagellation, of doom and gloom. “What are you giving up for Lent?” Adar is…

indeed, star dust The movie Gladiator (2000) stars Russell Crowe as the general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor. In the movie there are many great scenes, but there’s one in particular worthy of note. This is just before Russell…

words have power Every idle word. Every careless word. Believe it or not, we can be quite careless with our words! Consider the naming of names. Words have power. I have to be wary about limiting myself to whatever weaknesses I could possibly have — or perhaps for a single…

for our long complicated journey There’s something resembling a birdhouse posted next to the driveway in front of First Presbyterian Church in Auburn, New York. It’s at the edge of what’s known as the Bell Garden. …

you too can redeem time “All is quiet on New Year’s Day / A world in white gets underway I want to be with you / Be with you night and day Nothing changes on New Year’s Day / On New Year’s Day” I always think of this song when…

x marks the spot Xmas. “X” as in the Greek letter for chi. Thus, Χριστός (christos): “Christ,” meaning “messiah,” “anointed one.” And now, Christmas. “Christ Mass,” as the origin of the word. The Mass of Christ, from Roman Catholic usage. …

the uncreated as the created “What if God was one of us? / Just a slob like one of us / Just a stranger on the bus / Trying to make His way home?” There is one “who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality…

your spirit will thank you We are well into November, and the holiday of Thanksgiving is almost upon us. One of the special joys is the Thanksgiving dinner. I imagine this likelihood has been blown way out of proportion, but we are often reminded of the dinner table argument. Of…

opponents await our decision One of the pure joys of a road trip is finding ourselves in the heart of a long line of traffic, particularly when we’re way out in the country. It might be due to an accident or possibly construction work. It’s especially fun when the line…