Faith

I Forgot to Trust God, Now I’m Paying for It

March 21, 2013 Faith

I got out of bed this morning after another rotten sleep and it hit me: I’ve been having trouble sleeping through the night and controlling daytime anxiety because I’m in one of my classic control freak-outs, in which I get depressed because I am anxious about everything and want to control it all. In other words, [...]

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Will the Catholic Church Lighten Up Under Pope Francis?

March 14, 2013 Faith

After the world got its first gander at Pope Francis yesterday, the inevitable “Lighten up, Francis” jokes started flying. But there’s more than a cheap joke in all this. The question of whether the Church will lighten up under Pope Francis is a legitimate one. Mood music:  Faith Hope LoveKing’s XFaith Hope Love I’m a [...]

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RIP, Renee Pelletier Costa

March 12, 2013 Courage

This morning I received the sad news that Renee Pelletier Costa passed away after a long and courageous battle against cancer. Mood music:  Release – Arena di Verona – Verona, Italy 9/16/2006Pearl JamPearl Jam Twenty Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Updates:  Renee’s memorial service will be held Saturday, March 23, 1:30 at Faith Lutheran Church, 360 South Main [...]

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What Do You Mean I Don’t Believe in God? I Talk To Him Everyday…

February 13, 2013 Faith

Here we are at the start of Lent, and I’m still at a loss as to what I should be sacrificing for the next 40 days. Alcohol? Food items? I’ve already permanently sacrificed those things. Mood music:  Peace Sells – 2004 – RemasteredMegadethPeace Sells…But Who’s Buying? Lent is a time to sacrifice habits you love, [...]

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A Few Thoughts About Pope Benedict XVI

February 12, 2013 Faith

I’ve had 24 hours to absorb the news that Pope Benedict XVI is stepping down at the end of the month. I think he’s doing the right thing and showing some true fortitude. But I’m also glad because there’s an opportunity for the Catholic Church to right some wrongs. Mood music:  HallelujahJeff BuckleyGrace The Church has [...]

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How Christianity Hijacked Pagan Holidays

December 5, 2012 Faith

Christian extremists like to blather on about a war on Christmas. Given that my post “Take Your ‘War On Christmas’ Talk And Shove It” has been getting a lot of traction on Facebook this week, I think it’s time for a history lesson. Mood music:  Hazy Shade Of WinterThe BanglesThe Essential Bangles We hear a [...]

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Modern-Day Pharisees

November 20, 2012 Faith

A very quick follow-up to yesterday’s post about me being of the Religious Left. My good friend Martin Fisher left a comment I want to elevate to the top of the heap because he says exactly what I meant, in a different but dead-on manner. From Martin: You didn’t put it this way…but I suspect [...]

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My Name Is Bill, and I’m with the Religious Left

November 19, 2012 Faith

I’ve been on a spiritual high for the last several years. I became a Catholic in 2006 and since then have tried to live my faith to the fullest. I’ve been on three Catholic retreats, one as a team leader, and have spoken up about my beliefs regularly in this blog. I’ve worked hard to [...]

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Strong Too Long, Or Weak Too Often?

April 23, 2012 Addiction

There’s a saying on Facebook that depression isn’t a sign of weakness, but simply the result of being strong for too long. Somewhat true — though weakness does feed the beast. Mood music: I’m feeling it this morning. I’ve always taken a certain level of satisfaction from my ability to stay standing in the face [...]

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Don’t Let Anger Blind You To What Really Matters

April 4, 2012 Children's issues

The front office at my kids’ school is mad at me and another parent for complaining about something on the school’s Facebook page. I don’t think they saw yesterday’s post in this blog. That would make them angrier still. Mood music: I’ll admit I was angry when my wife told me the principal and office administrator [...]

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