This sermon was delivered at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla., Sunday, July 29, 2018. In reading this week’s lessons my mind was drawn back to a parable – not a biblical parable, but one I think is relevant nonetheless. It’s often, possibly incorrectly, attributed as a Native American story, commonly known as the … Continue reading Which wolf will you feed?
Month: July 2018
The bonds that set us free
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs … Continue reading The bonds that set us free
Breaking through the echo chamber: lessons in the wake of Helsinki
This week’s whirlwind of Trumpian treason — or at the very least, cowardice — in the face of Vladimir Putin, followed by the president’s furious backpedaling at home, reveals two important takeaways: 1) Trump is a pricey but easily acquired marionette, whose strings beg to be manipulated by ratings and the approval of strong-arm … Continue reading Breaking through the echo chamber: lessons in the wake of Helsinki
Sowing in fertile soil
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, … Continue reading Sowing in fertile soil
Trump and Hobbes visit NATO
Seventeenth century philosopher Thomas Hobbes warned of a state of nature when the ordering powers of mutual contracts are removed — a state of “continual fear, and danger of violent death: and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” For as long as humans have been human, we’ve been organizing into … Continue reading Trump and Hobbes visit NATO
Principled Republicans needed to take back the republic
There's no arena in which we dichotomize and vilify our neighbors more than in our politics. You adore Trump, or you're a socialist. You support all Democrats, or you're a red hat fascist. Some of you surmise from my opposition to President Trump that I must be a Democrat. A leftist. Commie. 'Murica hater. Pick … Continue reading Principled Republicans needed to take back the republic
Celebrate, and defend, Independence
Today we celebrate our 242nd Independence Day — originally a celebration of no longer having a king, of gaining liberty from tyranny. This Fourth of July, I urge us all to pause and ponder where our nation stands today with respect to that liberty, and what course we are charting for our children. Our unlikely … Continue reading Celebrate, and defend, Independence
James R. Neal 