I have very much come to value our Pacific Beach Interfaith Coalition (PBIC) and the meaningful relationships formed through our continuing partnership and work together. We are Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, Catholics, Protestants, Bahai and Christian Scientists. We have had rich discussion that has helped us discover that there is much common ground between us …
The Front Porch February 11, 2021
Life seems to be full of crossroads. And often the crossroads do not come with clearly marked signs. Should I go left or right? Should I study this or that? Should I take this job or that one? Should I live here or there? Is this my long-awaited life partner or is there someone else …
The Front Porch February 4, 2021
Do you think Jesus will return soon? I have been asked that question many times over the years, especially during times of great turmoil or calamity. When there is a steady drumbeat of bad news and the world seems to be spinning out of control, it is understandable that people of faith startinterpreting these as …
The Front Porch January 28, 2021
We don’t often use the word ‘repent’ anymore. Maybe for good reason. Too often it has been used as a hammer. When I was growing up it seemed much more common to see (and hear) street preachers. I remember coming out of Dodger Stadium after many a game and encountering them in the parking lot …
The Front Porch January 21, 2021
The prophet Micah was a younger contemporary of Isaiah. He was convinced that the pending fall of the southern kingdom of Judah was due in part because people of faith had lost their way. Religious ceremony had taken the place of meaningful communion with God. That is always a danger for people of faith. Religion …
The Front Porch January 14, 2021
The concept of tithing has always been challenging, yet its roots in our Judeo-Christian faith are ancient. Even when it was primarily an agrarian culture, people of faith were asked to bring a tenth of their harvest to share with the priests and their families. Some of that would also be shared with families in …
The Front Porch January 7, 2021
The state of California endured multiple large-scale forest fires in 2020 that burned over 4 million acres…almost double the previous record! It’s hard to even wrap my head around the true extent of the devastation. One of those fires was sparked by a gender reveal gone awry when a spark from the colored smoke started …
The Front Porch December 31, 2020
We find ourselves at the threshold of a new year…and a much anticipated year at that. There seems to be a collective desire to leave 2020 in the rear view mirror and all the pain, suffering and turmoil that came with it. A new year can only provide a fresh start and a renewed optimism…right???Maybe. …