Irony, Cynicism, Honesty, and Ordination

Amanda recently asked me to guest blog on her site to help her with her explanation for asking me to officiate her up-and-coming wedding. It was, perhaps, shocking to her friends and family, so I hope that I’ve put to rest any of their concern or dismay at this decision. Or completely confirmed their fears… Continue reading Irony, Cynicism, Honesty, and Ordination

Afghanistan Remembers Music

I listened to a piece from WNYC’s Radio Lab recently only to form a more concrete relationship with the loss that victims suffer under Taliban rule. From the outside, looking in, the culture seems muddied with the intermingling of past and present times.  Between incomplete reports from the news agencies, history, and modern documentaries, it… Continue reading Afghanistan Remembers Music

The Home School Phenomenon

Man has been on a quest throughout time to find the riddle of the root of all evil. Ole-Magnus Saxegard, a student of the Sydney-based University of Technology, explores this riddle in his latest frame-by-frame Flash animation (A History of Evil). It is a brilliant vision. If he’s looking for further inspiration to this age-old… Continue reading The Home School Phenomenon

Chinese Government to Manage Reincarnation

In a humorous – yet evil – plan, the Chinese government is establishing some regulations around the logistics of reincarnation. According to reports, the Chinese government seeks to ensure that the current Dalai Lama is unable to reincarnate without its explicit permission, legally. The law is directed towards Tibetan reincarnation. That enables the government to… Continue reading Chinese Government to Manage Reincarnation

The Philosophy of Creative Energy

I heard an interesting perspective from a devout Christian man the other day and have come around to finally closing my thoughts on the matter. The discussion began as a consequence of a friend’s comment, “my brother is a Christian and a musician, but not a Christian musician.” Just so you understand the context of… Continue reading The Philosophy of Creative Energy

Pope *Hopes* for the Best, Pagan Babies Okay

It’s a bit late getting to my attention, but I was made aware recently of the Pope’s exoneration of pagan babies in limbo. The documentation on this subject is actually quite lengthy; I had to follow a couple of citations to other fascinating topics regarding in vitro fertilization and other immoral acts of life indignities,… Continue reading Pope *Hopes* for the Best, Pagan Babies Okay

Atlanta Trying for Bible Studies in the Classroom

The Atlanta Board of Education has a vote at its door to include two new classes in its optional curriculum. The key word here is “optional.” The classes proposed are “History of the Old Testament Era” and “Literature and History of the New Testament Era.” I don’t like the sound of those big “Era” words.… Continue reading Atlanta Trying for Bible Studies in the Classroom

Reverend Olaf Gradin, Presiding

I have recently become ordained by the *honorable Universal Life Church out of California. Legally speaking, the Ordinary Clerk of the Hall County Court House recognizes any person ordained by a church to lawfully wed consenting adults. I don’t have any experience doing such, but I could learn. My wife maintains the opinion that my… Continue reading Reverend Olaf Gradin, Presiding

‘Twas the Night Before Yule

‘Twas the night before Yule, when all ‘cross the heath, not a being was stirring; Pagan, faerie, or beast. Wassail was left out & the alter adorned, to rejoice that the Sun King would soon be reborn. The children lay sleeping by the warmth of the hearth, their dreams filled with visions of belov’d Mother… Continue reading ‘Twas the Night Before Yule