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by Bill Faw July 2, 2023 INTRODUCTION Happy Birthday, America. Happy 247 th Birthday. What kind of a nation are you? What kind of government do you have? Let us begin to answer that by considering this distinction between “nation” and “government”.  The “nation” constitutes the land and the people, while the “government” is the network of administrative, legislative, and judicial forces which governs the nation.       Christian nationalists generally blur that distinction an

This poem. by Linda Dove, was part of the Tight Lines service by Richard Foust. It was read at the end of Richard's talk. How often nowadays do you look long at that framed photo of your father on the dresser, his young smile fixed on you and mother? How often do you take time to imagine his hand cradling you when you were born, his hand tossing balls when you were ten, his hand doing high-fives with you way back when, his hand, as he aged, trembling, rough and worn? Remembe

by Richard Foust June 18, 2023 We have been fascinated with water and rivers since ancient times. D?gen Zenji, the Buddhist philosopher, made the following statement in the “Mountains and Waters Sutra” in 1240 A.D. From ancient times wise people and sages have often lived near water. When they live near water, they catch fish, catch human beings, and catch the way. . . . Furthermore, there is catching the self, catching, catching, being caught by catching, and being caught by

by Tom Hook June 4, 2023 I am “delighted” to be with you again this beautiful Sunday morning! I’m always humbled by your gracious response to what this “seeker” has to say about our journey through this world. So, again, I say “Thank You”. Let me begin with two questions: How can we be joyful in a world, in a moment like this? How can we NOT be joyful in a world, in a moment like this? After all, we are alive today. We are taking each breath without the need to decide whether

by Sandy Greene May 7, 2023 Opening – Martha Sider (Thomas Rhodes)       “We come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some of us grow in bunches. Some of us grow alone. Some of us are cupped inward, And some of us spread ourselves out wide. Some of us are old and dried and tougher than we appear. Some of us are still in bud. Some of us grow low to the ground, And some of us stretch toward the sun. Some of us feel like weeds, sometimes. Some of us carry seeds, sometime