Tag Archives: Politics

“We Will Not Quit!”

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Mark

The parable of Jesus in Luke 18:1-8 has been titled “The Unjust Judge” and “The Persistent Widow. Which is it? Is the parable about an unjust judge or is it about a persistent widow? It’s about both and if we … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Nativity of Imagination or Reality?

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Mark

The Gospels provide two nativity scenes. Luke’s gospel tells of humble shepherds heeding the instruction of an angel and worshipping the Christ Child as He lay in a manger in Bethlehem. Matthew’s gospel tells of reputable magi following a star to Bethlehem and worshipping … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Conscience and the 2016 Election

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Mark

The 2016 presidential election in America is a mess.  I have never witnessed an election where the top two candidates were so thoroughly disliked by the electorate.  Conversations regarding this election, verbal and written, casual and formal, struggle to maintain calmness and civility.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Knowledge of Good and Evil

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Mark

“What God says doesn’t matter! What God declares to be off-limits isn’t really off-limits if you don’t want it to be off-limits.  You have just as much right to decide good and evil for yourself as God does.  If you want … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Prayer for the Ohio House of Representatives

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Mark

Earlier this year I was invited by Rep. Kristina Roegner, State Representative for Ohio’s 37th House District (standing to my immediate left, in this picture, along with the Speaker of the Ohio House, Rep. William G. Batchelder), to offer the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Code Red Christmas

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Mark

Alert systems are put in place to give warnings.  In the wake of 9/11 the newly formed Department of Homeland Security instituted a five-level terror advisory scale: low, guarded, elevated, high, and severe.  Because that system proved to not be … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bullying the Chikin

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Mark

The past decade plus has brought too many reprehensible stories of bullying that have resulted in suicides and retaliatory killings.  As I’ve always understood it, a bully is stereotypically a big-mouthed brute who tries to rule the playground or the lunchroom … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Remembering the Fallen

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Mark

It’s Memorial Day here in the USA.  We enjoyed our annual local parade with the high school marching band, the VFW, mounted police, emergency vehicles with sirens blaring, an active soldier who was the grand marshall, one lonely politician decked out in his … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Religious Right Gone Wrong

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Mark

A Moody Broadcast Network station in Texas recently dropped David Barton’s radio broadcast “Wallbuilders Live.”  The reason was his defense of Glenn Beck.  Three bits of information are important to understand this action. First, David Barton is an American evangelical … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments