The Flow of Singing and Silent Water
As summer’s heat continues to bake the Sonoran Desert, I continue to reflect on the theme of water. After focusing on the dying Dead Sea and the thirsty Jerusalem Temple, I want to turn my attention to the flow of water because of a line I recently encountered from a...
Reflecting on Water in Jerusalem
Have you ever considered the water needs of the historic temple in Jerusalem? Until I visited the Holy Land, I hadn’t. This week, I invite you to join me in a brief exploration of this topic as I continue my summer reflections on water in the desert. Jerusalem is...
Summer Heat and the Dying Dead Sea
It’s summer, and the Dead Sea is dying. This iconic ancient spot in the Holy Land is the lowest visible place on earth—and it’s only getting more visible because the water level is dropping an astounding four feet every year. While some of this is attributable to...
Celebrating Diversity in Native American Heritage
Last week I recognized Juneteenth by reflecting on the innate human drive for differentiation and the problems it has caused over centuries. This week I want to ponder the importance of diversity through reflecting on Native American cultures and heritage. As I noted...
Pondering Juneteenth and the Drive for Differentiation
Growing up in New Mexico sensitized me to diversity and differentiation. When I was a child, I often heard that the New Mexico population was one third white, one third Hispanic, and one third Native American. That might have been simplistic, but by the time I was in...
Embracing the Idea of the Sabbath Elevator
As I noted three weeks ago, I’m living into a fallow season of my life right now. In addition to not planting a summer garden, I’m seeking to scale back on the external stimuli in my life, especially what I receive through the Internet and social media. I wish to...
A Monastic Response to Becoming Overwhelmed
A few weeks ago, a guest post on friend and fellow racial-equity advocate Tom Adams’ website discussed an interesting reaction to visiting baroque churches in Italy during a recent sabbatical. Tom’s friend, Tuck Grinnell, found himself overwhelmed by “too many...
A Memorial Day Remembrance of Native Children
It’s Memorial Day here in America. This holiday was started to commemorate the sacrifices made by Union soldiers during the American Civil War. This means the holiday was designed to remember Americans who were killed at the hands of other Americans. Today I want to...
Pondering Fallow Ground and the Valley of Elah
Summer temperatures have arrived here in the Sonoran Desert, and, for the second year in a row, I’ve opted not to have a summer vegetable garden. Last year, the decision was more accidental in nature. I was very busy with work and didn’t plant seeds until a month...
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