Monthly Archives: May 2017

A “peace flag” for the U. S.

Posted on May 31, 2017 by hessd

I learned while we in Ireland earlier this month that the Irish flag expresses a hope for peace between Protestants and Catholics. [1] Orange is a color that has been associated with Protestantism every since William of Orange defeated James … Continue reading →

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Deciding to Eat Out

Posted on May 28, 2017 by hessd

We all have values we say we hold and, as a subcategory, values we actually hold. [1] And these values, my values and your values, are very often the same, differing only in rank order. “Only,” he says. Nearly all … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Living My Life | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Winning the heart and minds

Posted on May 26, 2017 by hessd

On March 12, 2014, I argued that President Obama needed to apologize to the American people for something. It didn’t matter what, I said, so long as it was something “the people” were offended about. The state of the economy … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology, Politics, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Serving others”

Posted on May 24, 2017 by hessd

In one of my favorite episodes (Season 5, Episode 6) of The West Wing, President Bartlet loses his sense of how vitally important the presidency is. He has flown to Oklahoma to lend whatever support he can to a tornado-stricken … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Society, Sustainability, Theology, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Risk-averse servant

Posted on May 18, 2017 by hessd

This story, recorded by both Matthew and Luke, has been given a lot of different interpretations. I’ve been working/playing with it recently and I have three observations I would like to make. Before I get into the observation-making business, let … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Paying Attention, Theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Reflections on Ireland, 2017

Posted on May 16, 2017 by hessd

As I write this, it is just after noon in Dublin, where I had breakfast yesterday.  It is just after 4:00 a.m. in Portland, Oregon where, when Starbucks opens, I will have breakfast today.  My mind is still full of … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Victory for Biblical Scholarship

Posted on May 3, 2017 by hessd

When I think of “going out at the top of our game, I’m not thinking of Kevin Costner’s performance as Billy Chapel, the aging Detroit Tigers pitcher who pitches a perfect game on his last trip to the mound in … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments