Category Archives: A life of faith

Two Cheers for the Wheaton faculty!

Posted on March 7, 2021 by hessd

The last time I looked, 284 faculty has signed a statement called  Statement from Wheaton College Faculty and Staff Concerning the January 6 Attack on the Capitol.  See the Appendix for the full statement. Other Wheaton friends of mine grumbled … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

And forgive us our maladjustments

Posted on October 5, 2020 by hessd

I had a friend once who had learned to apologize for his lateness and to minimize his error at the same time.  I was fascinated.  I had no idea you could do that.  He would say, “Hi guys.  I’m so … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Words | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Songs of discipleship and impeachment

Posted on January 27, 2020 by hessd

On Sunday, January 26, we sang a really interesting hymn at our church. It was called “From the Nets of Our Labor.” I hadn’t ever sung it before and melodically, I don’t think it has much to offer. The text … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Paying attention to Christmas

Posted on December 5, 2019 by hessd

In her New York Times editorial, Tish Warren cites an “old saying” I never heard before: “Hunger is the best condiment.”  I’d like to think about it a little, using the same context in which she uses it, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Advent, Paying Attention | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Catching Eli’s Attention

Posted on October 9, 2019 by hessd

The story of old Eli and young Samuel has been told a lot of times.  The story I have always heard is how Samuel learned, finally, to hear God’s voice.  It’s a really good story.  But lately, I have been … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Biblical Studies, Getting Old | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Selling Providence

Posted on September 15, 2019 by hessd

In these brief comments, I reflect on the way Providence (formally Providence Health and Services) markets itself.  At every Providence site I have seen—and I have seen many in the Portland area—these five framed posters are displayed.  It is a … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Biblical Studies, Living My Life, Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why hating “religion” isn’t going to help anything

Posted on August 31, 2019 by hessd

Timothy Egan posted a pointless rant in the New York Times today.  I don’t think it will do any damage because the only people who will get past the first several paragraphs are people who want to see a really … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Political Psychology, Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodies-in-the-hamper time

Posted on June 10, 2019 by hessd

Below you will find the text of the prayer of confession we used at our church this week.  I liked it a good deal when I first read it.  Now I have worked with it a little since then and … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pence shilling at Liberty University

Posted on May 15, 2019 by hessd

“ As bleak as Pence’s remarks at Liberty University may sound, his words could very well strike a chord with these Christians who feel isolated.” That’s the concluding line of Catherine Kim’s report on Vice President Mike Pence’s commencement speech … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Nicholas Kristof interview me

Posted on April 22, 2019 by hessd

Not really, of course.  Why would he care how I answer his questions?  Still, he asks a lot of people these same questions, so I thought I might just take my turn.  And it is, after all, the day after Easter. … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Theology | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment