Today we celebrate the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Please use this blog to post your thoughts about: church politics, national politics as it affects religion, and anything else that's on your mind. Please feel free to ignore older posts.  If they become distracting, I can hide them.
Please refrain from personal attacks.  Sadly, not only is this disclaimer necessary, but it is also difficult to comply with.  If one can't separate their self from the opinions they currently hold, any criticism of ideas can be inevitably seen as a personal assault.  Or, more informally, taken WAAY too personally.  I hope this doesn't happen.
For my part, I believe each individual is created in the image of God, and is of inestimable value.  God demonstrated the value He, Himself places on each person by sending Jesus, God the Son, to draw us back into relationship with God. This is God's free and gracious gift.  Though we do not deserve His grace, we can, and should respond in gratitude, seeking reconciliation and peace with all of God's Creation.
A reflection on this day of honor:
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I believe in the Christian doctrines concerning sin, but what if sin doesn't exist? If there is no sin, why should I feel bad about racism or homophobia? Without recognition of sin, without timeless truths that are accessible to humans, it just becomes a power struggle.  Sexual minorities [I read this term first in Bay Windows; it seems more personal the LGBTQ and whatever other letters we must append] have become a powerful group.  Blacks, Hispanics, and immigrants, not so powerful.  But what if, instead of arguing about who has the most power, we responded with compassion and repentance? King David, have committed adultery and murder, responded by first admitting that he had sinned against GOD. "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done what is iniquitous in thy sight" Psalm 51

Please share your thoughts.  I have more to say, soon!

No posts for two years!?!? I guess I've been on FB.  See Darrell Hart, esp. under The 4,000 Footer Club:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/16316918492/?pnref=lhc

The background for my blog is Pack Monadnock, viewed from the Spellman Trail on Grand Monadnock.  Taken around 2009 when I began my frequent assaults on my favorite mountain. One hundreth hike 12/16/2015

Criticizing politicians is so easy it's almost not worth the time.  But since Googling this phrase produced no hits, let me be the first to say this about Sen. Ted Cruz and his Obamacare filibuster:
"Cruz missile drones on"

Adapted from Dietrich Bonhoeffer

1.

By loving power silently surrounded

. . .Comforted, protected by Your grace.

We choose to live these newest days together:

With You to enter in the coming years. (Refrain)

2.

Since by Your will today You make us joyful

Into this world Your brightest sunlight shines.

We think of former times and now we're certain:

You hold our future in Your loving hands. (Refrain)

3.

Profoundest silence still around us gathers

From it emerges God's almighty song.

His world, His vision now to us are open;

His children shout their hymn of highest praise! (Refrain)

Ref.

By loving power won-derf'l-ly surrounded

Awaiting fearlessly, whatever comes.

God is with us in the evening and the morning

He's here, for sure, in every dawning day

On his first visit to the German church where Carmen was baptized & confirmed,

Darrell was moved by this hymn by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He has translated and adapted three of the verses, and dedicates them, with deepest love, to Carmen on their wedding day, July 6, 2013

“Christmas in Newtown”

 The link below says too many words are being spoken, and much too quickly, on the Newtown tragedy.  So I’ll respond here, on a blog that few if any read. . .

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/december-web-only/media-and-massacre.html?utm_source=ctdirect-html&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_term=9457670&utm_content=146431871&utm_campaign=2012

Why did this event happen at Christmas?  Because Christmas happened for events like this.  This is a sinful world.  Smaller tragedies happen every day.  God, who is infinite, is present among all those who suffer even now—not just because he is big, and therefore  “has to be” everywhere—but because he chooses to be present, in inscrutable wisdom and mysterious majesty.  And he is present as an innocent, helpless Child.  The Christ Child entered this world, and took on the suffering, AND TOOK ON THE SIN! Christmas isn’t about nice feelings, it’s about the pain: the slaughter of the innocents at Bethlehem AND Newtown.  It isn’t about denying reality and feeling good for a short while.  God embraced reality, and ushered in the reign of Christ, the King, so that sin may be banished.  One day there will be no more weeping, anywhere!  Tears will be turned to dancing, sin will be gone, and a little child will lead them.  And it has begun, even now.  In the last days GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS SON.

”Christmas is here, best time of year”

A Lesson in Latin and Theology

(Theologica) a deo docetur. deum docet. ad deum ducet