Tag Archives: Christianity

Violence

Posted on May 29, 2020 by dkbonde

  “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.” Martin Luther King, Jr., Where do We go from Here; Chaos or Community? They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, … Continue reading →

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Children of Hope and Joy

Posted on October 2, 2019 by dkbonde

St. Michael and All Angels, September 29, 2019 This message was given on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels when my grandchild was brought for baptism.  We were worshipping at St. Peter’s Church in Manhattan.  The texts for the … Continue reading →

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Of books and burnings

Posted on June 5, 2018 by dkbonde

A reminder of the anniversary of the Nazi book burning has been popping up on my calendar since May. I didn’t want to let it go by without notice. We should not forget the burning of bodies began with the burning of books. Continue reading →

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We come to kneel

Posted on December 29, 2017 by dkbonde

We have seen Nazi’s marching by torchlight this year. At the center of our response to that must be the lighting candles and singing “Silent Night” … Our worship tonight is not just one of the baubles on the tree that makes up our holiday; it is the tree. Continue reading →

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Pregnant with the truth to come

Posted on August 11, 2017 by dkbonde

On Psalm 69 1 Save me, O God, …..for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire, …..where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, …..and the flood sweeps over me. … Continue reading →

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Singing of a warrior God

Posted on August 10, 2017 by dkbonde

So what shall we do with this psalm? We can pull out the nice verses and ignore the rest. We can “spiritualize” the enemy to refer to the devil and his minions. Or we can acknowledge that nobility and cruelty sometimes live together in us – and give thanks that this word is fulfilled in Jesus, who laid down the sword and took up compassion, who laid down his life to reconcile those who were enemies, who grants us his spirit and conquers with love. Continue reading →

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“I kept that promise.”

Posted on July 10, 2017 by dkbonde

It’s hard to describe what happened to me at the altar during the prayers of the church, yesterday. Typical Lutheran congregations don’t have a shared vocabulary for discussing personal spiritual experiences. Other communities of which I have been a part find it easier to say that God spoke to them. Continue reading →

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Thinking in stories

Posted on April 28, 2017 by dkbonde

We are creatures who think in stories. Confusion and anxiety reign when we can’t figure out the story line. It locates us. It gives meaning to our past, shapes our understanding of the present and gives direction for the future. Continue reading →

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Ashen crosses and Jesus’ way of prayer

Posted on March 1, 2017 by dkbonde

A Reflection on Ash Wednesday and the Lord’s Prayer The key texts for the reflection this Ash Wednesday were Isaiah 58:5-8 and Matthew 6:1-21. The Lord’s Prayer is the focus of our preaching during Lent this year. Daily verses and … Continue reading →

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An eternal kindness

Posted on February 19, 2017 by dkbonde

There is room in the heart of God for us all. Continue reading →

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