Category Archives: Faith

A Simply Divine Game of Hide and Seek

Posted on September 23, 2017 by salooper57

If God exists, why has no one ever proved it to the satisfaction of all? Of course, most people have not needed proof – the vast majority have always believed in a God or gods. But if God really exists, … Continue reading →

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A Little Exercise in Talking to Oneself

Posted on September 16, 2017 by salooper57

Please share in the comment section what advise you would give to your younger self – we’d appreciate hearing it. In his 1972 short story, The Other, Jorge Luis Borges pictures himself in Cambridge, MA, sitting on a bench overlooking … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

It’s Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be

Posted on September 9, 2017 by salooper57

Orthodox Christianity has, at least from the time of Augustine, upheld the doctrine of original sin. According to the church, the first man’s rebellion against his creator left all humanity guilty before God and damaged in their nature. When Adam … Continue reading →

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Avoid a Bandwagon Brand of Politics

Posted on September 2, 2017 by salooper57

I was recently asked, point-blank, if I was a liberal or a conservative. No one has ever asked me that question before – at least not directly. There have been times, however, when people have told me what I am: … Continue reading →

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Our Church Is Better Than Your Church

Posted on August 26, 2017 by salooper57

I’ve been surprised by people who, in conversation with me, refer to the church I pastor as “your church.” I’m surprised because they’ve been attending for years. Why are they still saying “you” instead of “we” and “your church” instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Charlottesville: Is it Time to Take Sides?

Posted on August 19, 2017 by salooper57

  After Charlottesville, is it time to take sides? President Trump has been roundly criticized for his alleged refusal to do so, both in his initial response to the violence there and in his follow-up news conference. He has been … Continue reading →

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Just Give it a Rest, America

Posted on August 5, 2017 by salooper57

Americans are some of the most restless and least rested people in the world. They work more hours a week and more weeks a year than their European counterparts. The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that … Continue reading →

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Better Choose Plan-A When There Is no Plan-B

Posted on July 15, 2017 by salooper57

Christian theology teaches that the church was founded by Jesus and is the world’s most important institution. Perhaps institution is not the best word, since the church is not exactly institutional; it is a movement. But it might be better … Continue reading →

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No Symptoms Doesn’t Equal No Disease

Posted on July 8, 2017 by salooper57

I recently visited the nice people at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan for a coronary angiogram, with overnight accommodations, IVs, heart monitors, and blood draws as part of the all-inclusive package. How I got there is a long story, full … Continue reading →

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Better Off Dead: Life Beyond the Grave

Posted on June 10, 2017 by salooper57

Death has always been hard to understand – just try explaining it to a child. How strange it is to be speaking to a person you know one minute and find them absent the next. Their body is still present … Continue reading →

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