Recovery. Sobriety. Living Wise.
My mother, Theresa Moriarty, was a towering figure in my life. She birthed not only my body but my conscious soul. Indeed, if there is a heaven and ever I get there, it’ll be on Mother’s passport. She was a plain-spoken woman, whip-smart, given to simple truths. She had an attitude some would describe as gnarly. As a woman raised in the teeth of depression … Continue reading In Praise of Honesty
“The greatest hazard of all, losing one’s self, can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can occur so quietly; any other loss – an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. – is sure to be noticed.” Søren Kierkegaard The danger of losing one’s self grows during times that feel unfamiliar. Think of how … Continue reading Beyond the Great Regression
Oath of Jurors: It is your duty to base your verdict solely upon the evidence, without prejudice or sympathy. I was recently called for jury duty and learned a thing or two about the jurors’ oath. Rendering a verdict solely upon the evidence, without prejudice or sympathy, ain’t that easy. I found I was a guy filled with his own peculiar brand of bias cleverly disguised … Continue reading Beyond Bias
The concepts of sin and confession have gone out of fashion. The images of a judgmental and retributive God that they conjure have been replaced with an emphasis on love and understanding in many faith circles. I’m definitely not a fan of going back to a place in our culture that was condemnatory, but can we really access the full joy of grace without confession? … Continue reading Confession is Good for the Soul (by Eileen)
Marsha and I live near a bluff overlooking the Everett Naval Station. Each morning we are faithfully reminded the Navy is our neighbor when we hear the playing of the national anthem, and then again each evening at nine p.m. when taps is played. These are our daily cues that we as Americans share the same flag and some set of common values with the … Continue reading Semper Fidelis