Tag Archives: Advent

Joseph’s Sacrificial Fatherhood and a Dream greater than any Visa can secure

Posted on December 16, 2016 by PaulVK

The PBS NewsHour series “Brief but Spectacular” portrays Jacqueline Novogratz with her micro-lending development work. The interview begins this way. JACQUELINE NOVOGRATZ, Founder and CEO, Acumen:  When I was six years old, my first grade nun, Sister Mary Theophane, beat it … Continue reading →

Posted in On the way to Sunday's sermon | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why all our efforts at self-rescue and security fall short, and how the frustrating Son of Man brings peace

Posted on December 9, 2016 by PaulVK

Ghost Ship Fire in Oakland On December 2 fire broke out in a warehouse that had been used an artist collective in Oakland CA. There was an unpermitted concert event in the building happening at the time as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in On the way to Sunday's sermon | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

John the Advent Sandwich Board Guy

Posted on December 2, 2016 by PaulVK

Two Sandwich Signs So here are two sandwich signs. How do they make you feel? Does one or neither grip you? Why does one grip you and not the other? Maybe neither grips you and you just think they’re nuts … Continue reading →

Posted in On the way to Sunday's sermon | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Prepare for the Day of the Lord, Large and Small

Posted on November 23, 2016 by PaulVK

Reading Church History If you know me you know I’m a lifelong learner and history has always interested me. Over the last several months I’ve read (or listened to on audio books) a variety of things on various periods since … Continue reading →

Posted in On the way to Sunday's sermon | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Idol of Equality and Jesus’ Appallingly Inclusive Invitation to Love Sacrificially

Posted on December 18, 2015 by PaulVK

Mary’s High School Cohort Taking Selfies This American Life recently did a program on “Status Update” where Ira Glass interviews High School freshman girls on selfies. What Glass reveals is that these girls are in the midst of a continual … Continue reading →

Posted in On the way to Sunday's sermon | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Why Your Moralism Cannot Save The World

Posted on December 10, 2015 by PaulVK

Last week we saw the double bind American culture is in. On one hand as the NY Daily News front page illustrates few believe that praying is of any value at all in dealing with our problems. A new “meme” even … Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Tagged , | 1 Comment

How to have Bold Public Joy when the World is Pulling Itself to its own Doom

Posted on December 5, 2015 by PaulVK

This Month in Killing If you are a person that likes to watch US news the last few weeks have been anything but cheery. Let’s Review. (for the year in Terrorist attacks see Wikipedia) Oct 31: ISIS downs a Russian jetliner … Continue reading →

Posted in On the way to Sunday's sermon | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Stephen Colbert and Friends Gives us a Wonderful Taste of Advent

Posted on December 19, 2014 by PaulVK

Stephen Colbert concluded his series.  I found great delight in his sing-along. Why? To me it is an image of the age to come. No I’m not a universalist. Yes, I realize these are all celebrities. What is my point? A … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Why We Trust in Torture and the Advent of the Ironic Tortured Emperor

Posted on December 12, 2014 by PaulVK

A Conversation I Very Much Want to Avoid If last week I said a conversation on racism wasn’t nearly enough. This week I face the fact that a conversation about torture is something I want to avoid. Last week I had … Continue reading →

Posted in On the way to Sunday's sermon | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Insufficiency of Incarnation

Posted on December 2, 2014 by PaulVK

Looking for A Bigger Truth  Do Justice Blog has been doing a #listenatthemargins series. I haven’t been a faithful daily reader, listener, watcher but I’ve caught a number of them. Here is one that really stuck with me. A very creative … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture commentary | Tagged , | Leave a comment