“I ask for the death of all wants demented,
And all our desires that risk being bent,
And for a good resurrection of the true, godly wanting,
A godly desire, a yearning that’s holy.”
21 Prayers, p. 74
I Mean, Really Unacceptable
Entirely Out
“Take away from us now all false opinions,
And please bring to light all shifts and evasions.
If envy remains in any dark place,
Have mercy on us—pull it up and all out.”
21 Prayers, p. 71
Why and Who Says?
“Why should men be free? Why should they be treated with equity? Why should we govern ourselves democratically? The answers will vary depending on whether you believe that we evolved out of the primordial goo, or whether the Creator God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, put us here. They will vary according to whether you believe in the Supreme Court or the Supreme Being. Religions don’t do well suspended in mid-air. Why should men be free? Who makes them free? How can they be free when they are slaves to sin?”
American Milk & Honey, p. 178
Neither Unitarian Option
“But Christians who worship the triune God will refuse to worship any idol, whether it is the nerdy monad of the liberal bedwetters, or the gonad monad of the American neocons.”
American Milk & Honey, pp. 176-177)
Light Me On Fire
“Light me on fire, I pray to You now.
Don’t let me preach without passion, I ask.
Admonish, rebuke, and speak to my soul
If it looks like the message might devolve to a lecture.”
21 Prayers, p. 68
Historical Backdrop to Smashmouth Incrementalism
As best as I can recall, abortion first became a real issue for me when New York legalized the practice, three years prior to Roe. That happened in 1970, but my recollection of my anger and dismay is somehow located during my time in the Navy, sometime in 1971 or 1972—so I don’t know what …
Work That Rests
“Let us experience the gift of Your rest
As well as the work that rests upon rest.”
21 Prayers, p. 67
Personality and Character
“The Puritans did in fact shape the American personality. But personality is not the same thing as character. Two men can have an outgoing personality, with one of them honest and the other treacherous. Two men can be quiet and withdrawn, with one of them a rock of integrity and the other a knave. We do share certain personality features with the Puritans, attributes we inherited from them. But inheriting their personality is not the same thing as inheriting their character.”
American Milk & Honey, pp. 173-174
The Very Marchiest of Letters
Letter to the Editor: Is it time to consider the theological ramifications of aliens? That's not a joke. It would cause me tremendous doubt if indisputable evidence comes out about ...