Presence: Experiencing the Nearness of God

Did you know that Estonia has one of the world's widest use of digital technology to increase efficiency and ultimately happiness in many areas of daily life. As our lives are upended in this crisis moment how can we creating lasting uses of tech in the US to help build The Common Good after this moment passes? See www.edtechemergent.com for more info.

Its the first sunny, warm Spring day where I live. I recorded this while walking in the sunshine by a lake near where I live. Although I am angry at the way some leaders and fellow citizens are not doing all they can to helphduring this crisis, I am deeply grateful as I know God is near. See the photos of where recorded this – www.edtechemergent.com

By many measures, Denmark has one of the most equal societies on Earth today. And it also ranks at the list with the expressed levels of happiness in its citizens. How will our nation, with high levels of economic inequality, do during this time of COVID-19? Can the social and political changes which will follow this crisis make us a more equal society?

The nation of Cuba gives us an example of how to solve the massive set of problems that COVID 19 presents us. If we tap into the force of "resolver" or 'the Cuban art of problem solving' we can work toward building The Common Good. Learn more at www.edtechemergent.com

This episode focuses on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a nation which has many problems and also great natural and human resources. Much good can emerge there. In this COVID crisis the is hardship and uncertainty. Yet the potential for greater good is here as well. For education resources during this time visit my biog blog - www.edtechemergent.com

I begin a new sub-podcast in the time of COVID-19. I will be quoting from "The Values Compass" recently authored by Dr Mandeep Rai. The first 'change' value in the book is pragmatisim as it is utilized in China. To grow The Common Good we must make hard choices today based on valid information and a prudent process of decision making. Learn more about this episode and The Common Good at www.edtech...

The concern about this continually growing pandemic intensifies hourly. And it is unfolding during the Lenten season of praying, fasting and giving. How can we do these in this time of crisis? And how can doing this bring back a commitment to vision of The Common Good at the heart of the great faith traditions?

I feel God's Presence last Friday as I led a meditation on a student retreat and later supported a student during a memorial service at a funeral home. At both places and times I saw balloons which represented God's Presence with us then and there.

I attend my school's production of S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders" and then watch the stunning Best Picture film "Parasite" (no spoilers.) Both examine class and how families and groups survive in the midst of economic injustice. Jesus loves all and yet is firmly "on the side of the poor" This is the core of the gospel and vital being a follower of Christ.

When have you said "Yes" today? Have you said "Yes" to God in the last 24 hours? How valuable is your "Yes?" Do you ever feel that, like the element chromium, it is "too cheap to be taken seriously?"

God has both masculine and feminine aspects as God encompasses all of what it means to be human. We see the Divine feminine particularly in Mary, Mother of God, who births Jesus the Christ. In the element Vanadium we have a metal which, like a mother's love is tough and gritty, while also bringing the shine and color to one of the most beautiful gemstones.

Did you know that the coloring which makes a page of a book appear white is made of titanium dioxide? Indeed it is! Listen and learn more about how titanium is in many things around us even if we don't always realize this fact. Similarly, Christ is seen through all which is - if we have the ways to see and to identify God's Presence as Christ.

It's All Saints Day and my celebration of this holy day was framed by a special song - the late Ben E. King's "Stand By Me." It's a good song for this day as the saints are our extended family who are standing by us in deeply mysterious and significant ways.

What do you see right now? Hear? Smell? Feel? Taste? And what do each of these sensations reveal to you about the Presence of Christ? Join me as I reflect about preparation to move my prayer materials and prayer time inside as the season changes.

I worship with a hospitable congregation and hear one of my girl students preach the sermon of the day. It's my 4th time worshiping here and I feel the welcoming Presence of Christ.

The element scanduim is a component of the brightest light bulbs we see in parking lots and elsewhere. At the heart of all creation is Christ who became incarnate within creation and thus became a part of all matter from the subatomic to the cosmic. Like scanduim in the light we see, Christ is present in all we see - from quarks all the way up to stars and galaxies.

When we think of calcium and the human body bones and milk come to mind. But calcium is even more important at the cellular level and the regulation of important bodily functions. Christ is also found at the depths of everything vital for life as in Christ "we live and move and have our being."

Potassium, atomic symbol K, is essential to the basic functioning of your body. It also was likely integral to the emergence of life on Earth. Christ, like K as it hits H2O, explodes into creation not by going up to the heavens, but by descending into humanity and the experience of being alive in flesh and bone.

A Washington Post article today quoting words against racism from a Catholic archbishop and words from a Baptist reverend saying Donald Trump isn't racist illustrate the division in how Christians are responding to recent violent, hate filled shootings and "tweet-storms." This episode begins reflection on "Barmen Today: A Contemporary Contemplative Declaration." Find out more at EdTechEmergent. Wo...

Argon, a noble gas is inert and inactive and thus is useful in various ways. Some think that God is inactive and uninvolved in the world. But Christ shows us that God is here and now. NEW - checkout EdTechEmergent. Word press.com for more info on this and other episodes.

I recorded this episode at the Dublin (Ohio) Irish Festival after celebrating mass with our Bishop Robert Brennan. My heart is heavy and I'm angry too after 20 were killed by an American terrorist in El Paso yesterday and 9 murdered early this morning in Dayton - 90 minutes from here. I talked with a Northern Irish author and am struck by how this form of domestic terrorism we are facing isn't too...

Cholorine gas kills in a horrific way. Yet chlorine, in small amounts, purifies our drinking water is a useful disinfectant. Is God vengeful and destructive? Or is God - Love? Christ incarnated in Jesus of Nazareth firmly shows us who God is and how God is life-saving and live-giving.

I hike in a track of public land which isn't yet a designated park and I reflect on the ways that the trees and the entire woods is connected under the earth. Words from the new book "Underlands" come to mind as I experience Christ in this place and time.

"This stinks!" is what we say when surprised by the pungent rotten egg smell of sulfur. We are also surprised by the parables told by Jesus the Christ about the coming Reign of God. And we are challenged to see that stinky sulfur has important uses within our world.