Anyone who knows anything about Shakespeare, knows that his comedies end in marriages and his tragedies in death—not just one death but multiple deaths. I’ve studied King Lear in college and seen other productions. I know how it ends, yet, during this year’s production of King Lear at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, I found myself […]
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Where is your Temple? Where do you find God? For the writer of Psalm 84, the answer to these questions is easy, the Temple in Jerusalem. This Temple is all of this and more. It was magnificent and beautiful, inspiring awe in all who entered its gates. Psalm 84 Psalm 84 starts by singing her […]
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Honeymoon at Lake Huron. We walk along the shores, swim in the waves, watch the sunrise while sipping coffee. Gulls swoop down looking for tidbits of food. Rays of pink seep through the clouds until the sun bursts through in a flash of glory. We skip back into each other’s arms. Day has begun. Our […]
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This past month, Marriage Matters Jackson closed its doors. I’ve been part of this organization for more than twelve years. Over the years I’ve served on the initial advisory committee, chaired the religion and faith subcommittee, volunteered at many events, and served on the board for seven years. I also wrote two short books of […]
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It’s only paranoia if your fears are not based in reality. Are the fears expressed in Psalm 83 real or paranoia? What do you do when God appears to be silent? Do you imagine the worst? Psalm 83 Psalm 83 starts with the people calling to God, trying to wake him up. The people are […]
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The Michigan Shakespeare Festival is celebrating 25 years in existence. I’ve been attending the Festival (formerly the Jackson Shakespeare Festival) for the past 23 years, missing only one year in that time. In celebration of 25 years, I’m sharing some of my memories of those early days. Jackson Shakespeare Festival, 1996 It was the quintessential […]
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“Judge not lest you be judged, for with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Jesus tells us (Mt. 7:1-2). Judgment is mine says the Lord,” we are also reminded in Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19. The writer of Psalm 82 would […]
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Summer is here, life is good! All reasons to rejoice. But we also need to remember, as Psalm 81 tells us. Psalm 81 Psalm 81 starts with a call to celebrate, “Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song, sound the timbrel, the sweet lyre with […]
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This post was first published in July of 2014. Back then the immigration crisis involved unaccompanied children coming to our country, now we have whole families. The words remain relevant. Immigration Crisis of 2014 From blog post of 2014 – With all of the news recently about the situation of thousands of children coming to […]
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Our psalm for last week of bargaining with God, gives way to depression this week with Psalm 80, the fourth stage of Kubler-Ross’ stages of dying. The Israelites are so sad that their daily bread is made up of tears, as well as their drinking water. “You have fed them with the bread of tears, […]
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