A Disciple for Our Time
Video
Reply
Category Archives: Life
Verse – No doubt
No Doubt
I know he is guilty,
I know what he did.
He was wrong,
He was wicked,
He lied and deceived.
I’ll never forgive him,
I’ll never forget.
My resentment I’ll
Hold in my heart
Till I shrivel and die.
I know I am innocent,
I know I am right.
“The opposite of faith
is not doubt–
the opposite of faith
is certainty.”*
* Anne Lamott
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, April 28, 2014
Verse – 2 under 3
2 under 3
John and Caroline
1 plus 1
equals 3
or more
when you
add a boy
and girl
to a young
couple both
who work
outside the
home as is
done today
you take him
and i take her
after day-care
after au pair
after nana
after nanny
we are so tired
there will never
be another
well maybe
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, April 27, 2014
To Whom the Good News Comes
Video
Easter sermon by Gordon C. Stewart at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska, MN tying together Chris Hedges’ remarks about Friedrich Nietzsche, the women at the tomb, and a fourth century monk.
Fear and Faith
The resurrected
Jesus was a man
and not a Zombie.
He was raised to be
alive, and not both
dead and living when
God seized him by his soul
and set him free.
He was not thirsting
after blood, was no
Vampire, did not become
immortal, but eternally
had life–there is, you know,
a difference… Jesus
spoke and drank and ate
with all his students,
the Disciples, though
they had all run away
when those with sword
and club, the Roman
soldiers, came to show
this upstart Rabbi
Caesar still was Lord.
The undead try to scare,
but Jesus said
“Have peace–you do not need
to be afraid.”
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, April 21, 2014
Maundy Thursday Tenebrae
At Tenebrae, the ancient Maundy Thursday Service of Light and Shadow, there are no off-the-cuff remarks. Only Scripture. Only the story we do not want to hear. Our betrayal. Our cowardice. Our weariness. Our betrayal with a kiss. Our violence. Our denial. Our flight.
The church is dark except for the worshipers’ candles.
One by one, the worshipers blow out their candles as the nine readings are read from the midst of the congregation, as we recognize ourselves in the plot that leads to the crucifixion.
We know. We know this is our story. Our reality. Our dilemma.
Then, as if it were tonight, bread is broken. The wine is poured. In silence we share our common lot and wait for the good news we already know.
Pure Joy – Take a Risk!
Video
The story of An and Ria experience their first flight – a signature video for people in their 70 and above, or, for that matter, 70 and below. Enjoy.
The Corpse
the face and hands are grey
even under the pink
lights by the big casket
no life is in the lips
the eyes are not asleep
the hands will never move
he hid himself from us
as the cancer got worse
he had said goodbye
his voice i still can hear
his raspy laugh echoes
in my memory
I did not need to see
the artificial body
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, April 11, 2014
Can you really fool everyone?
Around the Table
Even if it is family,
Friends, or kids just from my school,
There always will be that oneWho smiles like everybody
Else, but finds a way to fool
All–well, maybe except one…– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, April 9, 2014
The Bristlecone Pines
Views from the Edge 