by Dianne Johnson … [Read more...]
The *Rest* of the Story
There was an item in the news this past week about the effect of computers on sleep. When used at night, the bright light from television screens, computer screens, tablets and smartphones can cause insomnia. We can add this to a list that includes alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Any one of these can make it difficult to get a good night’s rest. Any combination of these makes it that much more difficult; add to that the stresses and worries of our everyday lives. Given the choices we make it’s … [Read more...]
Admirers or Disciples?
This past Friday we found out through the news that before he died Peter Keller left behind a video explaining why he did what he did. Peter Keller is the man who killed his wife and daughter, burned down his house and then holed up in a bunker he constructed outside of North Bend. Peter Keller was out to build his own little kingdom. In the video Keller said he looked forward to a future that would be exciting. He said, “I don’t have to worry about my family and everything will be taken care … [Read more...]
Spiritual Detectives
Minjing and I enjoy detective stories. Tonight, for example, we eagerly look forward to the return of Inspector Lewis and his able assistant, Sergeant James Hathaway, on PBS. One of our favorite detectives is Sherlock Holmes and his good friend Dr. Watson. First in books, then on TV, and now in movie theaters, Sherlock Holmes is able to crack cases that others find impossible. But he doesn’t place much confidence in luck and he doesn’t have much patience with guesswork. Sherlock Holmes has a … [Read more...]
Grieving Well
Last Thursday evening was movie night at the Kramer household. My brother lives in Colorado and I stayed at his house for a few days while attending a pastor’s conference. Last month he, his wife and two young daughters traveled to Disney World in Florida so they had slides and videos to show me. My brother and I had recently climbed some high peaks in the Rocky Mountains so we also had pictures to share. Thursday was my last night at their house. Our two nieces, ages 6 and 8, were very … [Read more...]
Homecoming
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin, mother and child Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. It’s been almost six months since we sang those words on Christmas Eve. At Christmas our focus was on the joy of a newborn baby. Our imaginations at Christmas led us toward those things which we crave in this life but which remain elusive: calmness, rest and peace. Fast forward six months after Christmas and we’ve … [Read more...]
Getting Down to Business
On Friday of this past week, and again yesterday, Velma Mullen and I attended Synod Assembly in Everett. This is the annual business meeting for ELCA Lutheran churches in Northwest Washington. Synod Assemblies used to be marked by controversy. For a span of about ten years we braced ourselves each year for angry, emotional fights, often over homosexuality. This year, however—as in recent years—the business meeting of our Synod had a different tone: peaceful, joyful, hopeful, Spirit-filled, … [Read more...]
Going Through the Motions
This past week we had a load of compost delivered to our house. Two workers from the Millionair Club in downtown Seattle helped me haul it from the street to our back yard, and as we worked I listened to their stories. Dan had been working hard over the past week, trying to make up for over $400 he’d lost when his wallet went missing. But that wasn’t the end of the story. One day his boss at the Millionair Club called him in and showed him a package that had arrived in the mail. It was—you … [Read more...]
Just the Facts
There are always three truths in every situation: yours, mine, and what actually happened. The same is true of the life of Jesus. Each gospel writer tells the story a little bit differently. The way that Luke tells the story means that even contemporary Christians who have never seen the resurrected Christ have a story to tell. Their own story of repentance and forgiveness. … [Read more...]
Locked Door…and More!
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