"Truth is not only violated by falsehood;

it may be equally outraged by silence."

-Henri Frederic Amiel, philosopher and writer (27 Sep 1821-1881)

I was asked to swear an oath at a public hearing last week. I declined and pointed out that Vermont law includes affirmation in legal proceedings where testimony is given. The chairperson acquiesced to my demand.

Not swearing oaths to be truthful is directly linked to Quaker history and George Fox. It was a hard won…

Raised Catholic (Elementary and High School and Catholic Fraternity in college and post grad degree at a Catholic college) I recognize the weakness of the hierarchal structure of the Catholic Church.  However, I also recognize the wisdom of those in power.  They are very good at discerning the gifts of their priests and assigning them titles and roles that make the best use of those gifts.  Even when they disenfranchise an entire sex from participation in management, they do a very good job…

I read a comment on FB about the DACA situation that said "everyone that is in this country deserves to be here" and it struck a nerve.  Have we become so filled with a sense of self-worth that we think we actually deserve the things we have?  I was born in the US but I know I am not more deserving to have been born here than anyone else born on that day in India, Thailand, Mexico or Syria.  I am blessed with a great relationship with God through Jesus but I know I don't deserve that…

Identified as a Russian proverb and attributed to various people, this aphorism implies that trust has its limits. Or, at least, trust should not be tempted. One of the most common things I ever heard as a chaplain was: “I didn’t come to jail to make friends.” There are also a lot of cards played in jail to pass the time. I think those who have experienced…

I watched a movie last nite where the main character,  embittered by tragedy, posed that familiar question: "If there's a God why is there so much tragedy in the world?".  After posting an earlier blog on the shedding of blood my mind found itself with thoughts of God who knows all things - past, present and future - contemplating how best to achieve His goal (I will not, at least at this time, presume to know what that goal was or is) and the game of chess came immediately to mind.  In…

Hebrews 9:22 tells us that blood must be shed to purge sin from our lives.  I believe this calls for personal sacrifice and not necessarily the physical shedding of blood.  The same personal sacrifice that is inherent in the divine love that Jesus demonstrated by both His life and His death.  When Jesus was approached to act in a family dispute about the distribution of a family inheritance He made it plain that He had come to change hearts and not financial equality (Luke 12:13-15).  More…