GK, you used the word “stoop” in describing the walk home from church. Without realizing it, probably, you said the magic word. As a born and bred New Yorker (from Queens), I think it’s time to officially say you’re one of us now.
Good morning Mr. Keillor (may I call you Garry?-old habits haven’t completely died).
I have been church shopping for a few years now. Churches here in Portland serve up a very political, alternative doctrine making it difficult to use sanctuary sitting time for reflection and renewal.
Your writings are the closest thing to a decent sermon I have heard in years AND they make me laugh.
I don’t doubt that the Lutheran woman you write about today is managing (although far from what I would wish for her), Lutherans are stoically sturdy.
Please keep sharing your uncannily accurate and kind thoughts. They brighten my day and renew my spirit.
Thank you for your comments and insight. You reminded me of the need to practice the teachings that I receive in church with all those I meet. I don't walk to church, but I do travel the aisles of our grocery store. Lot's of opportunities to make someone's day a little brighter.
I so loved seeing/hearing you at the Minnesota State Fair.........the hymn reminded me of how it felt when you walked around in the audience and WE all sang with you. Thank you.
Some if the best sermons I’ve ever heard were your “news from Lake Wobegon”
My wife and I were in NYC just over a year ago. We loved it. All the rumors of unfriendly people are rubbish. I loved the people. Different languages all over; helpful and kind.
I keep thinking about that trip and it dawned on me just yesterday what an amazing thing it is that people created it all. All of it. It's like a colossal work of art, made by millions of Americans. I'm really enjoying thinking of it like that!
I suspect the shocking nature of Christ speaking to a Samaritan woman is largely lost to us Americans. Please remember that, at the time, Samaritans were seen by the Jews as just *the worst* (i.e. spiritually shallow, political "bad guys", deserving of censorship and imprisonment).
Try imagining one of those dratted Evangelicals, or even (*gasp*!) Trump as the "Good Samaritan" in Christ's parable, and you'll be probably be closer to the point He was making about our inability to TRUELY love others without prejudice.
I LOVE the line about Jesus Christ being “the first convert!” There’s a lot to be said right there—or maybe believed. This was a very lovely post, thank you Mr. Keillor. Question: do you walk home from church in red shoes?
Thank you gain...One of my favorite bumper snickers is "I wish Christian's would more like Jesus and less like they are God." I there is such richness in the journey of the man who tries to figure out how to play nice in the sandbox, for all but certainly the least of these... That said finding awe in the most mundane, in community, in people's stories. I went to a talk last night by Davis Lewis, a scholar of Native American history and stories, and he noted that near his house was an area that named Lake Labish that was a food source for the native community, and he decided to see if the lake was still there? No, just an onion field, rich soil, no lake.
A missing water link. And this made him, and I, think about water and all the ways that water binds us, as human and as life forms. It moves through us, connects us...and there are other ways too to see community. I believe the Jesus was the first real communitarian, and in this sense the first liberal (not political, in the sense that all people matters equally.) Maybe baptism comes from this to, connecting us to the water, each to another. It really is an ecosystem...culture included.
I was saddened to see the strong negative statements regarding “Evangelicals”. I am sorry for your feelings towards them. I, myself, have met a number of Evangelicals who humbly love God and always treat others with kindness and grace. Which is one of the key points I gleaned from this article. Yes, following Jesus should lead to humility and gentleness as the grace of God is an incredible thing.
I'm thinking from your first 3 paragraphs that you'd make a great Republican and I'm sorry because I don't know how to do what you did there.....see what I did there? In spite of your shortcomings I still put you up there with Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and (I'm sorry, but) Jack Kerouac.
It has been done as you wish, sir. And thank you.
To "Sir", with Love may be the fruits of your labor (or humor, if you will), Garrison.
GK, you used the word “stoop” in describing the walk home from church. Without realizing it, probably, you said the magic word. As a born and bred New Yorker (from Queens), I think it’s time to officially say you’re one of us now.
Good morning Mr. Keillor (may I call you Garry?-old habits haven’t completely died).
I have been church shopping for a few years now. Churches here in Portland serve up a very political, alternative doctrine making it difficult to use sanctuary sitting time for reflection and renewal.
Your writings are the closest thing to a decent sermon I have heard in years AND they make me laugh.
I don’t doubt that the Lutheran woman you write about today is managing (although far from what I would wish for her), Lutherans are stoically sturdy.
Please keep sharing your uncannily accurate and kind thoughts. They brighten my day and renew my spirit.
All the best to you,
Laurie
Beautiful...thank you!
Important part of my morning reads!
I so look forward to Garrisons comments
Minnesota Marcia
Thank you for your comments and insight. You reminded me of the need to practice the teachings that I receive in church with all those I meet. I don't walk to church, but I do travel the aisles of our grocery store. Lot's of opportunities to make someone's day a little brighter.
I so loved seeing/hearing you at the Minnesota State Fair.........the hymn reminded me of how it felt when you walked around in the audience and WE all sang with you. Thank you.
Some if the best sermons I’ve ever heard were your “news from Lake Wobegon”
My wife and I were in NYC just over a year ago. We loved it. All the rumors of unfriendly people are rubbish. I loved the people. Different languages all over; helpful and kind.
I keep thinking about that trip and it dawned on me just yesterday what an amazing thing it is that people created it all. All of it. It's like a colossal work of art, made by millions of Americans. I'm really enjoying thinking of it like that!
Nice piece, GK. What you say about cars is 100% spot on. Walking, biking, and riding surfboards--that's what makes life beautiful. Cars? Meh.
Is the walk home more enlightening than the seat in the pew?
I suspect the shocking nature of Christ speaking to a Samaritan woman is largely lost to us Americans. Please remember that, at the time, Samaritans were seen by the Jews as just *the worst* (i.e. spiritually shallow, political "bad guys", deserving of censorship and imprisonment).
Try imagining one of those dratted Evangelicals, or even (*gasp*!) Trump as the "Good Samaritan" in Christ's parable, and you'll be probably be closer to the point He was making about our inability to TRUELY love others without prejudice.
I LOVE the line about Jesus Christ being “the first convert!” There’s a lot to be said right there—or maybe believed. This was a very lovely post, thank you Mr. Keillor. Question: do you walk home from church in red shoes?
Thank you gain...One of my favorite bumper snickers is "I wish Christian's would more like Jesus and less like they are God." I there is such richness in the journey of the man who tries to figure out how to play nice in the sandbox, for all but certainly the least of these... That said finding awe in the most mundane, in community, in people's stories. I went to a talk last night by Davis Lewis, a scholar of Native American history and stories, and he noted that near his house was an area that named Lake Labish that was a food source for the native community, and he decided to see if the lake was still there? No, just an onion field, rich soil, no lake.
A missing water link. And this made him, and I, think about water and all the ways that water binds us, as human and as life forms. It moves through us, connects us...and there are other ways too to see community. I believe the Jesus was the first real communitarian, and in this sense the first liberal (not political, in the sense that all people matters equally.) Maybe baptism comes from this to, connecting us to the water, each to another. It really is an ecosystem...culture included.
Joy and peace to you!
I was saddened to see the strong negative statements regarding “Evangelicals”. I am sorry for your feelings towards them. I, myself, have met a number of Evangelicals who humbly love God and always treat others with kindness and grace. Which is one of the key points I gleaned from this article. Yes, following Jesus should lead to humility and gentleness as the grace of God is an incredible thing.
I'm thinking from your first 3 paragraphs that you'd make a great Republican and I'm sorry because I don't know how to do what you did there.....see what I did there? In spite of your shortcomings I still put you up there with Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and (I'm sorry, but) Jack Kerouac.