Wandering Elder

I haven't written in a while. That's due to a couple of reasons.  First, I wasn't sure what to say. Second, I wasn't sure anyone was listening. That is also reminiscent of my life as a pastor.  There are some weeks where I do not know what to say from the pulpit.  I find it a struggle to compose a sermon.  That, also, has numerous reasons.  For example, I want to be clear, cogent, and relevant.  I also want to honor the text and not project my own ideas and then find scripture to back them up.  I do not want to offend people, but I don't want to be halting or reserved in speaking.  Sometimes I do not wish to share that which is personal.  Other times, I find that the sermon itself is something I do not wish to share because I have, in some cases, had to work very hard to find the relevant words, the point to which I feel I have been led, sometimes with great emotion and soul searching. Then to offer such words is to hand over something ...

Let me start out by saying that Kathy Griffin went too far. I had thought that Stephen Colbert had done so with his opening monologue rant a few weeks ago. But Kathy Griffin left him in the dust. If you haven't seen the picture of her holding the (fake) decapitated head of President Trump, then you haven't been online in the last few days.  It isn't pretty. And it goes too far.  Why?  Well, imagine if someone had done the same thing with President Obama. How would people have reacted?  Charges of racism, hate speech, and so on.  It may not be racist with regard to Trump, but it is hate and it is staggeringly reminiscent of the horrors ISIS has posted as well - their atrocities being far more real than that of Griffin. Sure it was some kind of publicity stunt, but if it was considered a "good idea" or a "really funny" idea, then it goes to show that we as a nation have truly taken leave of our senses. I am all for free speech.  I am not trying t...