Category Archives: Uncategorized

At the Gate: True Humanity

Sitting at the gate, I see the recovery of true humanity– a view of who we are that has been too-much lost. Last month, I wrote about three Bibles I read most days: nature, the Perennial Tradition, and the Hebrew/Christian … Continue reading

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At the Gate: Three Bibles

[Note: beginning today, this “At the Gate” series will become a monthly post on the first day of each month. I hope that making it less frequent will result in writing that is more revealing of a “big picture” life … Continue reading

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Engage: Group Meeting Tomorrow

Just a reminder that our second group meeting is tomorrow (Friday) at Noon (ET). We will focus on Chapter 2 of ‘Journey to the Common Good.’ Here is the link to the Zoom meeting… https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9314085719 Meeting ID: 931 408 5719

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Engage: Subversion #2

I am sure you will agree that it is difficult to summarize Brueggemann’s insights in chapter two. Even by his own standards, it took nine sections for him to convey his message about subversion. In this post, and the remaining … Continue reading

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Engage Group: First Meeting Today

Looking forward to visiting with you today at noon (ET), focusing on the introduction and first chapter of Brueggemann’s book Here’s the Zoom meeting link… https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9314085719

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Engage Group: Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder that our meeting is changed to tomorrow (Saturday) at Noon (ET), not today. Looking forward to a good discussion of Brueggemann’s introduction and first chapter. Here is the link to the meeting… https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9314085719

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Engage Group: New Meeting Time

The first online meeting of our group has been changed to Saturday, the 25th at Noon (ET). We will share in relation to the introduction and first chapter of Brueggemann’s book. Here is the link to the meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9314085719

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Engage: Journey #2

This Friday, we have our first Zoom meeting, in which we share our experiences while reading chapter one. Here is the link to the meeting that runs from Noon to 1:00 p.m. (ET)…. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9314085719 We have seen the ignition of … Continue reading

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Engage: The Journey #1

In chapter one, Brueggemann takes the broad idea of journey and applies it to the common good. Wisely, he shows us that we move into the common good in stages. It is not a state as much as it is … Continue reading

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Wesley Windows: Introduction

A window is a place to stand or sit and look out on a larger reality. The Wesleys lived and ministered in ways that have become windows through which we can see life in Christ and live it inwardly and … Continue reading

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At the Gate: Imagineers

Sitting at the gate, I see how life is enriched by imagination. Living about halfway between Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center, I follow the news media which is ripe with stories that chronicle the ventures of those who … Continue reading

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At the Gate: Inviting Space

Sitting at the gate, we experience the sacredness of space. Some see space as protective, living with a “keep your distance” mentality. And of course, there are times when that’s good advice. In a dangerous world, space can be a … Continue reading

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At the Gate: Jesus Enlarged and Enriched

Sitting at the gate as an elder is a posture that creates the time and space to explore new things, and grow. I have previously noted that the most significant expression of this opportunity has been an enlarged Christology. I … Continue reading

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“Engage” Meeting Tomorrow

I’m looking forward to meeting with you tomorrow (Thursday) at Noon (ET).

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #10

Read: “Love and Forgiveness” The way of God is the way of love. We always love in the midst of life as it is–rarely, if ever, loving in ideal conditions when everything is as it should be. Often, we love … Continue reading

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Wesley’s Way: The Grand Reunion

Among the missional senses that the Wesleys had for the Methodist movement was this: the conjoining of knowledge and vital piety, which John said had been too long divided. He incarnated that grand reunion through his integration of theology and … Continue reading

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Christ: Christ is in All #4

“Our Provider” Paul’s words are not only revelations of Christ’s person, but also of Christ’s provision. Christ’s “allness” offers us the opportunity to live abundantly (John 10:10). Just a few verses before this one, Paul summed it up: Christ is … Continue reading

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #3

Read: “Paul’s Spiritual Genius” Much of the spiritual life is paradox. A major one is that we find life through death (John 12:24). Necessary suffering and disorder clean the lens of our vision, enabling us to see clearly. For Paul, … Continue reading

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New Awakening: Exile

From the day after Easter until Advent, we live in two seasons of the Christian year (Eastertide and Pentecost). In this longest stretch of our liturgical journey, we say “the risen Christ is with us.” It is summed up in … Continue reading

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Christ: Sources for the Series

I expect this series will go on for awhile, so before I dive into it, I want to let you know the sources which have formed me with respect to Christ. Maybe it’s the teacher in me that motivates me … Continue reading

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Wesley’s Way: A Comprehensive Hermeneutic #2

[Note: today I resume this series after lying dormant since 2013. I hope you will go back and read the earlier posts archived on the home page sidebar. They deal with important ideas related to Wesleyan spirituality that I will … Continue reading

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At the Gate

Question: I am 66 years of age. I need to think more about living as an elder. What does this mean for you? Response: I must begin by saying that I don’t think there is a one-size-fits all pattern for … Continue reading

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In-Sight: January 2021

“A New Normal?” Living in the pandemic for a little over a year, we find ourselves asking, “Will there be a new normal?” As I have read articles in which the question is raised, it is an expression of anxiety, … Continue reading

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Day One: December 2020

This month’s “Day One” post comes after the “In-Sight” post because I wanted the December “In-Sight” to be about Advent. So, I posted it on November 28th. If you have not seen it, it’s the one immediately before this one … Continue reading

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In-Sight: Don’t Hold Back

I am posting this a week early to connect with the Advent Season… Whatever else Advent is, it is an annual season in the Christian Year that invites us to make a fresh start. All four readings contain the keynote … Continue reading

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Merton’s Prayers: On the ITMS Group Page

The “Merton’s Prayers” series will now post only on the International Thomas Merton Society Group Page on Facebook. I really want you to find the reflections there, in the midst of a rich feast of other writings with respect to … Continue reading

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Merton’s Prayers: January 16, 1941

More than a year has passed since Merton included a prayer in his journal. But I must emphasize that the intervening months contain ample evidence of his prayerful life, largely shaped by Roman Catholic liturgy and the liturgical calendar. Merton … Continue reading

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Merton’s Prayers: December 21, 1939

“Blessed Saint Thomas, who are blessed because, seeing the risen Christ and handling His wounds you believed in Him: pray to Him that I, seeing His body and the blood of His wounds each day may also believe Him, and … Continue reading

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Merton’s Prayers: December 19, 1939

“Now we faithful glorify  the Holy Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit  and we give this triune Lord  all the taste of the salt  all the love of the heart  all the fervor of the soul for ever and … Continue reading

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Merton’s Prayers

October 22, 1939 “Pax Tecum Filumena” (“Peace be with you, Philomena) [1] Between his last recorded prayer and this one (two months) Merton accepted a call to the priesthood and consulted with friends about how best to fulfill the call. … Continue reading

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Merton’s Prayers: August 24, 1939 #2

August 24, 1939 “Christ, have mercy on us. God save you, Mary, full of grace.” [1] Merton entered a second prayer into his journal the same day that he included the first one. It was a response he had to … Continue reading

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Merton’s Prayers: August 24, 1939

​“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our … Continue reading

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Merton’s Prayers: Introduction

​In my classes on Spiritual Formation, I had the opportunity to refer to a host of saints, canonized and otherwise. I made it a point to say that when studying persons, the best way to get to know them is … Continue reading

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In-Sight: Living on the Edge of the Inside

Some of you will immediately recognize the title of this post as one of Richard Rohr’s phrases to describe where he believes God calls us to live.[1]  I have intentionally used his words, because I agree with him, and because … Continue reading

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Along the Way: Dangerous Education

A lot of politics in general and some of the president’s words and deeds in particular are beyond my expertise, even though sometimes I can’t keep myself from commenting about them. But when Donald Trump wanders into certain territory, he … Continue reading

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Shepherd’s Care: Ordination

Yesterday, Deacons and Elders were ordained by Bishop Ken Carter in the Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. [1] This annual service is a highlight and a reminder that God calls every Christian to a discipleship ministry, and … Continue reading

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Here and Now: Courage

​Living in the present moment is living with “eyes wide open,” seeing into things so that their realities come into view (see Mark 8:18).  This kind of seeing gives us courage. First and foremost, we gain the courage to become … Continue reading

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Spiritual Life: The Essence

​When I finished the previous post on the spiritual life as a dance, I saw in my mind’s eye the healed man outside the Temple walking, leaping and praising God (Acts 3:8).  I watched St. Francis dance down the road … Continue reading

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Christianity & Culture: Wheaton-Hawkins #3

Dr. Hawkins got the attention of Wheaton and beyond when she posted on her Facebook page that “we all worship the same God.”  Ironically, she was referencing a similar statement made earlier by Pope Francis, and she was only repeating … Continue reading

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Christianity & Culture: Wheaton-Hawkins #2

Statements of faith are common in Christian educational institutions.  How they are used speaks more loudly than what they say.  Much of what is happening in the Wheaton-Hawkins situation bears this out. I attended and served an institution that has … Continue reading

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Christianity & Culture: Wheaton-Hawkins. #1

In my Facebook post earlier today, I wrote that the Wheaton College conflict with Dr. Larycia Hawkins is “a situation to follow.”  There are multiple reasons why this is so, and a number of them are particularly significant.  The best … Continue reading

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Gleanings: Breathing Spaces

A meditation from Martin Copenhaver, pastor of Wellesly UCC, in Wellesley, Ma…. “In our already overcrowded lives, another space is being taken away. When I was learning to type, I was taught that you should have two spaces after a … Continue reading

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Ancient Wisdom: June 15, 2014

I am in a “less is more” phase with respect to the Oboedire blog and my Facebook pages. So…for the rest of the Summer, I will not write the weekly “Ancient Wisdom” lectionary meditations. Pre-scheduled  Oboedire writings will continue each … Continue reading

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Ancient Wisdom: June 8, 2014 (Year A)

Read:  Numbers 11-24-30 Meditation:  “Distributing the Spirit” Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day we often call “the birthday of the church.”  Our minds go immediately to Acts 2, as we recall the Spirit’s being poured out on everyone in the … Continue reading

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Ancient Wisdom: June 1, 2014 (Year A)

Read:  Acts 1:6-14 Meditation:  “Ready for Whatever” The question of the disciples was exactly what we’d expect them to ask.  Their Jewish understanding of the Messiah as one who would restore the Davidic Kingdom had revived in them following Jesus’ … Continue reading

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Ancient Wisdom: May 25, 2014 (Year A)

Read:  Acts 17:22-31 Meditation: A Manual for Our Witness” The account of Paul’s visit to Athens provides an outline for the way we should engage non-Christian people, no matter where they are. First, Paul took the time to get to … Continue reading

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Ancient Wisdom: May 18, 2014 (Year A)

Read:  Acts 7:55-60 Meditation: “Covering Our Ears” Stephen was stoned because the angry crowd covered their ears (v 57).  It was all over after that.  It still is. When we stop listening, we stop relating.  When we stop listening, we … Continue reading

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Ancient Wisdom: May 11, 2014 (Year A)

Read:  Acts 2:42-47 Meditation:  “Off To A Good Start” On the basis of repentance and baptism, the first Christians set about establishing the foundation for their life together.  Over time, they added other features.  But we are fortunate to see … Continue reading

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Ancient Wisdom: May 4, 2014 (Year A)

Read: Acts 2:14, 36-41 Meditation:  “Where It Begins” There may have been a million people in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.  As the story reveals (2:7-11), people from all over the world were there.  And when Peter finished his … Continue reading

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Ancient Wisdom: April 27, 2014 (Year A)

Read:  Acts 2:14, 22-32 Meditation: “Taking It To The Street” Theologians call it the Kerygma.  Essentially, it is the core message the early Christians developed to “proclaim Christ.”  Today’s lesson can be viewed from the vantage point of content/doctrine.  But … Continue reading

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