Still Listening

Letters on loss, healing, and the mystery of being alive —
from deep in the woods.

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Tag: Conflict resolution

  • ‘Talk is cheap’, they say, ‘but money buys the whisky’. There are various forms of this adage. The earliest one written down is from P.T. Barnum the circus tycoon whose antics were recently told in the movie The Greatest Showman. He said, ‘Talk is cheap, until you hire a lawyer.’ Speaking of whisky and illusionists,…

  • Tolerating Intolerance

    “You get what you tolerate”, was tattooed on the inside of her forearm. I suggested “You get what you negotiate”, she was adamant and anyway it was her arm! I didn’t argue but I did ruminate. We really are becoming less and less tolerant. Especially in matters of faith. Fundamentalism,a relatively new phenomenon and a…

  • Do you want to be right, or be in a relationship? Matthew 5:21-37 Epiphany 6/ Ordinary 6

    Matthew 5:21-37 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister,…

  • Tracking the Radical Jesus – Matthew 5:1-12 Epiphany 4 / Ordinary 4

    Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed…

  • Nest or Nets? Matthew 4:12–23 Epiphany 3A /Ordinary 3

    Matthew 4:12–23 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the…

  • Whipped up enough to pour yourself out?- Narrative Lectionary John 2:13-25

    Whipped up enough to pour yourself out?- Narrative Lectionary John 2:13-25

    John 2:13–25 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He…

  • Cultivating Change – Lent 3C

    Luke 13:1-9 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you…

  • “The old home town acts the same…”

    Luke 4:21-30 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor,…

  • Good News? Ouch that hurts! Luke 3:7-18 Advent 2 C

    Good News? Ouch that hurts! Luke 3:7-18 Advent 2 C

    Luke 3:7-18 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from…

  • The word came to whom? Luke 3:1-6 Advent 2C

    The word came to whom? Luke 3:1-6 Advent 2C

    Luke 3:1-6 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came…