Category Archives: Food for Thought

Facebook and Political Discussion – Part 1

the-scream-munchThe last place on earth that a political discussion should occur is on Facebook.

During the last year, I have watched what looks like a slow motion car crash as various people take to the Internet to vent their opinions about this candidate or that candidate.  Seldom is there any courtesy or nobility in the conversation.  It, most often, has a “don’t you get it, stupid” kind of air to it. Continue reading Facebook and Political Discussion – Part 1

Xenophobia or Hospitality?

Xenophobia 02The Greek word, xenos, gets a different spin in the New Testament than it does from the lips of Donald Trump or his British mini-me, Nigel Farage.

Xenos is the root of the word, xenophobia, which means fear of anything strange.  It could be a strange food, a strange practice, but in today’s useage it most often refers to a fear of people who are strange to us. Continue reading Xenophobia or Hospitality?

Les and Henrietta

ChauvenistLes was an old river rat who learned how to craft a life out of little wealth or conventional experience.

Henrietta, his wife, was a good partner because she was just as tough and creative as Les was. Sadly, Les did not treat Henrietta with the respect she was due. Like when she called up to Les while he was roofing a house, asking for some money to purchase shoes for herself. Not wanting to leave his perch, Les wadded up dollar bills and threw them down at her making her look like a bird hunting for worms. Continue reading Les and Henrietta

Living As An Exile

BurkaIt was a Farmer’s Market in a large Central Valley city.  A full block of fruits and vegetables, hand made baskets, dog treats, nuts, and cheese.  An adjacent parking lot was completely full of cars on this Saturday morning.  Shorts, tee shirts, jeans, and other casual attire were the dress code.

And there!  She stood out.  You couldn’t see her face or form.  Black burka covering her from head to toe. Continue reading Living As An Exile

Getting What You Pray For

imagesSamuel was a prophet in Israel and came to this role in the eleventh century B.C. He was the last leader of the nation before the first king, Saul, was appointed.

The times during which Samuel acted as national leader were not good times. Fraught with idolatry and rebellion, the nation repeatedly lost her way and suffered horrible consequences as a result. Continue reading Getting What You Pray For

Does God Allow Evil?

dictionaryallow \uh-lou\  vt  1 : to give permission to or for; permit: to allow a student to be absent; No swimming allowed 2 : to let have; give as one’s share; grant as one’s right: to allow a person $100 for expenses 3 : to permit by neglect, oversight, or the like: to allow a door to remain open 4 : to admit; acknowledge; concede: to allow a claim 5 : to take into consideration, as by adding or subtracting; set apart: to allow an hour for changing trains 6 : Older Use. to say; think 7 : Archaic. to approve; sanction.
Continue reading Does God Allow Evil?