"Poetic Wednesday" James Mercer Langston Hughes (1901-1967) is one of the most famous African American poets. Having been disabled by a severe bout of depression, I somehow found this poem comforting - but then, I am weird. (As they say: "Neurotics build castles in the sky, psychotics move in, and psychiatrists charge rent.") TOO … Continue reading “Too Blue” — A Depressing Poem about Depression
"Sunday Sermon" The Root Sin of Materialism Henry David Thoreau (1817-1861), American philosopher, and author of Walden Pond and Civil Disobedience, proclaimed: “For every thousand hacking at the branches of evil, there is one striking at the root.” One of the major “root sins” is materialism - “building treasures on earth,” “having our hearts set … Continue reading Materialism and the Myth of the “Eye of the Needle” Gate
"Fun Facts Saturday" Wedding Ring Tradition Wedding rings date back 3000 years to Ancient Egypt, then to Ancient Greece and Rome, then to Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern Europe. Generally, wedding rings were mostly worn by women. During WWII, men started wearing weddings rings in remembrance of their wives back home. Rings were placed on the … Continue reading Wedding Glitches: The “Cursed” Rings
"Court Case Friday" As a young D.A. I was assigned to prosecute a 15-year-old for petty theft. He stole a Christmas tree from a lot. It was very late on Christmas Eve. A young man walked into a Christmas tree lot just before closing. He looked at the few scraggly remaining trees. Suddenly, he grabbed … Continue reading Heartbreaking Case of the Christmas Tree Thief
"Poetic Wednesday" I wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o’er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the milky way,They stretched in never-ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten … Continue reading “I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud,” Poem in Praise of Daffodils, by William Wordsworth
"Sunday Sermon" “Who is Jesus?” When Jesus preached and performed mighty miracles, public arguments erupted. “Who is this guy?” People were divided into 5 camps. Jesus is: A Devil/Possessed Insane/Megalomaniac A Good Moral Teacher A Prophet The Christ/Son of God Jesus’ brothers and sisters Mary, the mother of Jesus, had at least eight children. Jesus’ … Continue reading Jesus’ Disbelieving Family: “Even his own brothers didn’t believe him.” (John 7:5)
"Sunday Sermon" We are all curious about Jesus’ childhood. “The Infancy Gospel of Thomas” fills in the gaps. It was written by the late second century by "Thomas the Israelite," whoever that is. This gospel describes Jesus as a "petulant child prodigy." The text was considered "apocryphal" and "heretical" by early church leaders and theologians. … Continue reading Jesus’ Apocryphal Childhood: From a Five-Year-Old “Holy Terror” to a Six-Year Old Healer
"Fun Facts Saturday" Major Failed Doomsday Predictions I have personally observed a plethora of doomsday predications that have failed. There are countless “Chicken Little's” yelling “The Sky is Falling.” There are innumerable boys "Who Cried Wolf.” Fearmongers can become rich and famous. Radio hosts, podcasters, television commentators flourish. Here are four examples from the past. … Continue reading Beware Doomsday Predictions
"Court Case Friday" Motorcycle traffic officers have a reputation for strict, “no tolerance” enforcement. They also develop “thick skins” because angry drivers are constantly arguing with them. They calmly respond, “Tell it to the judge.” However, “no tolerance” sometimes means “no judgment.” “Robocop” There was a very intense Huntington Beach motor officer who was in … Continue reading Motorcycle Officers Can Be Rigid
"Poetic Wednesday" “Vice is a monster of so frightful mienAs to be hated needs but to be seen;Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” ― Alexander Pope, from An Essay on Man (1733-34) Alexander Pope (1688-1744) was an English poet and satirist, and is considered the most prominent poet … Continue reading Poem: “Vice is a Monster.” We “Endure,” then “Pity,” then “Embrace.”
The London Edition 