Meditations 4 Misfits

In this reflection on the story of Zacchaeus found in Luke’s Gospel (chapter 19), we consider what it might have meant to have been “saved” by Jesus. “At the still point of the turning world, neither flesh nor fleshless; neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is … “ – T.S. Eliot 

This podcast offers a reflection on the healing ministry of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Mark Chapter 1. Was the idea of healing then different than it is today? “I suggest you can be healed without being cured.” – Fred 

This podcast is a recording of a lecture I presented as part of the Gillespie Lecture series at the Rogue Valley Manor in January of 2024. The title is “What’s Your Story: A Narrative Approach to Meaning-Making.” 

What’s Your Story slides

In this podcast we explore how Jesus did and did not use power in his ministry. “New life is born in a state of total vulnerability – this is the mystery of love.  Power kills.  Weakness creates.”  – Henri Nouwen 

This podcast offers a reflection of the first proclamation made by Jesus in Mark’s Gospel, “Repent, and trust in the Good News.” And as Archimedes famously said, “Give me a firm place upon which to stand and I can move the world.” 

In this podcast, Fred offers a reflection on how our search for a “Why” can actually make becoming free more difficult. Don’t let “Why” distract you from “Now.” 

This podcast offers a reflection on Genesis 1:2, where we are told that in the beginning God’s Spirit vibrated over the chaos. “In the Bible we learn that God is a verb (Eh-heh-yeh – Exodus 3:14) … whenever you make a noun of God, you are making an idol.” – Rabbi Rami Shaprio 

In this podcast, Fred simply offers a prayer for you as we begin 2024. “I asked for courage and the Beloved gave me dangers to overcome.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan 

We learn from a famous African proverb, “We are not made of flesh and blood and bone – we are made of stories.” In this reflection, we consider how the God of the Bible has a history of interrupting our stories. 

This week we offer some random thoughts on the two readings for the Third Week of Advent 2023 (Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 and Luke 1:46-55). Both readings speak to the modus operandi of the God of the Bible – who like to use ordinary things and people to accomplish the extra-ordinary. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – Paul of Tarsus