Category Archives: Faith

A Palm Sunday Video

Posted on April 3, 2020 by jim

A video about Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Continue reading →

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A father’s love

Posted on April 22, 2018 by jim

In a question and answer session with children this week, Pope Francis was addressed by a little boy overcome with emotion. Francis beckoned the child forward, and on camera and in public, listened to the child’s story privately. Follow the … Continue reading →

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Hope – finding abundance in lacking

Posted on April 10, 2018 by jim

First Mennonite Church, Richmond, Va., has conducted a bread service the Sunday after Easter for 20 years. Five breads representing five themes are paired with five hymns. I shared this message. Tumeric Bread: Hope Mark 6:34-43 34 As he went ashore, … Continue reading →

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March for Our Lives – Williamsburg, Virginia, Part 2

Posted on April 3, 2018 by jim
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The power of positive thinking. Really.

Posted on February 19, 2018 by jim

Positive thinking seldom cures debilitating diseases. All the prayers in the world won’t regrow an amputated limb. But how you respond to situations lays the foundation for future situations. Scripture says the rain falls on the just and the unjust. … Continue reading →

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Cultural Christians ~ when Christianity isn’t Christianity

Posted on February 11, 2018 by jim

A prominent voice in mainstream media is Cultural Christians who care more about the culture than they do about actually following the teachings of Jesus. You know who they are — sycophant, sympathetic apologists for sexist, racist bigots and patriarchal … Continue reading →

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“Jesus wouldn’t help people in need?” What Jesus are you talking about?

Posted on January 27, 2018 by jim

I recently saw a comment online that said Jesus wouldn’t help people in need – that he would help people to help themselves. Just another example of the damage some so-called, self-described Christians do in the name of Jesus — … Continue reading →

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Being intentional and being still

Posted on January 13, 2018 by jim

We have a handmade pottery pitcher we use to water plants and add water to the fish tanks or the dog’s bowl. The unique triangle spout design allows for a steady yet controlled flow of water. But we have to … Continue reading →

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Fire and Rain and drops of pain

Posted on January 9, 2018 by jim

Have you heard James Taylor’s Fire and Rain? Of course you have. Everyone has. The first verse is about the suicide of his friend Suzanne Schnerr. The second verse is about him kicking his heroin addiction, and the third verse … Continue reading →

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Shamash — the helper

Posted on December 15, 2017 by jim

A seven-branched menorah symbolizes Jewish Temple tradition. The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah is lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah. A new branch is lit on each night of Hanukkah. In the ancient story, when the Maccabean revolt led to the … Continue reading →

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Hanukkah

Posted on December 12, 2017 by jim

Kiel, Germany, December, 1931. Rachel Posner, the Rabbi’s wife, took this photo in her living room, across the street from the Nazi headquarters. It was the last night of Hanukkah. Hate, vitriol and racist lies were sweeping across Germany. Rachel … Continue reading →

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As much as we’d like to see Nazis get punched in the face

Posted on December 5, 2017 by jim

As much as we’d like to see Nazis get punched in the face, It’s wrong to punch people in the face. Even racist, bigoted, Nazis. Even racist bigots who feel emboldened by the support of the President of the United … Continue reading →

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Stress

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jim

Life is stressful. The news is stressful. All forms of social media are stressful. Finances, college funds, finding a new job, car repairs, relationships, family — the list goes on and on. Internal issues like fear and insecurity can create … Continue reading →

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What masks do you wear to hide your authentic self?

Posted on November 25, 2017 by jim

What makes us who we are? I’m not talking about the roles we fill — doing work, raising children, being a spouse, a friend, or a member of the choir. What person are we as we perform the roles of … Continue reading →

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