Confession: I have neglected this website for about two years. I’m back at it for a few reasons. One is that I’m now close enough
Author: Ron McDonald
Excuse my Mental Health Problems – Lecture to Tenn. Assoc. of Pastoral Therapists
“Excuse my Mental Health Problems.” Why Labeling Mental Illnesses Creates Victimhood, Irresponsible Excuses, and Ineffective Help. August 2, 2013 Lecture to the Tennessee Association of
Two Profound Quaker Ideas
Two Profound Quaker Ideas (first published in the Memphis Friends Newsletter) I have long thought that a meaningful aspect of what could be called
Violence and Colliding Myths
Violence and Colliding Myths Violence is close to two myths we live by: the myth of redemptive violence and the myth of redemptive suffering. A
My Father is Dying
My Father is Dying This is unexpected. Not the dying. I’ve been expecting it for months. He’s 86, in bad health—it’s time to die. And
The Self-Righteous Society
Rules of the Self-Righteous Society Find a religion (like Christianity….or Islam….or Judaism….or Hinduism…or Buddhism—any ole religion will probably do) that separates the good people from
Understanding Grace
UNDERSTANDING GRACE Grace: a word that means everything from saying a prayer before a meal to a common woman’s name. Between those nouns is an
Can the Speaker Trust the Listener?
For most of my life I’ve believed that when I’ve not been understood it’s mostly been the fault of a bad listener. So after the
What’s to Not Like About Obama?
What’s to Not Like About Obama? (with help from E.J. Dionne) Contrary to the pseudo-facts, he’s a natural born American who likes to play basketball
AS HEATHER PASSED AWAY
As Heather Passed Away January 14, 2012 There are some people who have seemingly undistinguished lives that, nonetheless, leave gaping holes when we lose them.