mikehelbert

[mikehelbert]

To My Wife: Thank You!

A few days ago I wrote something that was purposefully ambiguous. It was simply an invitation to think about current events without fear. Today, however, I want to celebrate. Yesterday my wife and I celebrated 49 years of marriage. We celebrated simply with a drive and dinner. I guess when you get to this stage of life and relationship simple is good. In like fashion, this post will be short and…

[mikehelbert]

Apocalypse: What I See

I just watched Oppenheimer for the first time. To be honest, I was underwhelmed. I mean the story was OK. And the acting really good. But, at the end I was left kinda, ‘meh.’ One thing that did touch my mind and heart was a line at the beginning. Oppenheimer was watching water drop into a pool. In his mind he saw flashes of light. The images switched between his pensive face and the special…

[mikehelbert]

About the Truth

Hi!I want to apologize in advance. Today’s blog is longer than usual because I am citing two passages from the Bible.One is from the Psalms the other from the Wisdom of Solomon. Yeah, I know, Wisdom isn’t ‘canonical.’ But, even that giant of the Reformation, Martin Luther said that the Apocrypha is useful. And, if you’re Roman Catholic, the Apocrypha IS part of the Canon.The last time I wrote…

[mikehelbert]

Nuthin' to Say. It's Friday.

I don’t have anything particular to write about today. I just feel like writing.Sometimes we don’t need a reason to do something. Like going for a walk in the woods.Yeah, we can say that we need the exercise. That some fresh air will do us some good.But, it’s just the time we take to walk that’s important.Or, maybe it’s just a matter of killing some time. Lord knows that I’ve shot my share of…

[mikehelbert]

What in the World?! Politics!

Politics. That thing that we’ve been told should never be discussed at Thanksgiving. That tool of governance used to dig up and till the soil of the electorate in order for this or that political whatever to plant its seeds of thought. Then, hoping that a constituent plant will grow and bear fruit. According to the politicians, politics is what makes the world go round. They want everyone to…

[mikehelbert]

An Open Letter to J. K. Rowling

Hello Joanne!I have desired to write to you for many years. Ever since I read the first Harry Potter book. Admittedly, I was not part of the target audience. I was in my 50s. Still, I was hooked by the magical world that you created. I and my daughter, also an adult, waited with bated breath for each new episode as you wove strands magic from that Great River of Creativity that flows through the…

[mikehelbert]

Remembrance

Last Thursday was Maundy Thursday. That’s the day that Christians around the globe commemorate the Last Supper that Messiah Jesus ate with His disciples before His crucifixion. I had the joy of preaching at St. B’s that night. Some said I may have been a tad harsh. Others that I was just preaching to the choir. You can make up your mind on where my mind may have been. Be Blessed!

[mikehelbert]

Remembrance

Yesterday was Maundy Thursday in the Christian tradition. We commemorate the Last Supper that Jesus ate with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion. I had the privilege of sharing some thoughts in a Homily. The content could be described as harsh be some. Others may say that what I said could not possibly be directed toward them. I really don’t care what folks may think. I think that the…

[mikehelbert]

Confronting the Human Condition: A Reflection on Anger and Faith

Back in January I wrote a post about the suicide death of the sister of a co-worker. That particular death struck hard at my heart and mind. I shared my anger about it. Why this death? A person I never met. I still hurts to think about it.I’ve realized that my anger wasn’t/isn’t directed at the single loss of innocent life. It isn’t even about the feelings of loneliness and desolation that ended…

[mikehelbert]

Proud To Be An Episcopalian

I know that I’m a little late to the party. I’m old. Give me a break. Last week Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C., the Rt. Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde spoke at the National Cathedral. It was a special service for an interfaith service that was part of the transition of power. I didn’t watch it. Nor, anything pertaining to the inauguration. Just not interested. I did, however, hear the…

[mikehelbert]

Musing on The Human Condition And Other Stories

Before I even get started I want to apologize for the condition of my previous essay. I was angry and emotional. I didn’t take time to proofread. So, the result was far below my own standards. Sorry. I’m still not doing great. Since I wrote that last piece another young person died. Another life cut short. It just keeps happening. Over and over and over and…….. I’m not a philosopher. Nor a…

[mikehelbert]

Why This Unnecessary Death? I Don't Know.

I’m getting too old for this shit. I really am. I’ve seen too much needless death in my life.Recently, I heard about a young woman who took her own life. Another person, family, destroyed. How long? How long must we sit by and watch hopeless people suffer in silence; loneliness? Is no one taking notice?Yeah, there are people and organizations dedicated to helping people who reach out to them.…

[mikehelbert]

What's New in 2025?

Well, it’s day 2 of 2025. I would’ve written yesterday, but I had to work. Yeah, I’m back in the workforce. Actually, I started back in April of last year. I spent about 5 months working in the nursery at Petitti’s Garden Center. It was interesting and mindless work. Watering trees and shrubs, stocking new inventory, and dealing with overly privileged people with too much money on their hands. As…

[mikehelbert]

Bebop & Brazil: Walker and Friends Fire up the Joy Machine

Last night my wife and I went to see and hear something called, “Bebop & Brazil.” The young man who serves as the organist for us on Sundays produced it. He is a student at Oberlin College where he is studying organ. For this event, he sat at the piano and was joined by several of his Oberlin classmates to fire up the Jazz Machine. They played mostly Latin Jazz. Their rendition of Jobim’s “Girl…

[mikehelbert]

Just a Thought for Advent this Year

2330816659 We’re smack dab in the middle of Advent, 2024. It’s a season of anticipation. Anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus.This year, however, I think that many anticipate the future with anxiety. Rather that awaiting the Prince of Peace many anticipate the Prince of Doom. Many others see the future with hope. Such is Advent in 2024.I, too, look forward with unease. Not because of…

[mikehelbert]

The Nativity - Revisited

Here’s the annual repost of my take on Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem. If you have read my blog you know that I do not hold to the whole “Away In A Manger” story. That story really has nothing at all to do with 1st Century Palestinian life. I believe that this story is a better representation of that. Read with an open heart and mind. Perhaps, we may find a greater understanding of who Jesus was and…

[mikehelbert]

Just a little vent for my friends

ShutterStock 2362958391 With all that’s going on in our world today it’s easy to find something to bitch about, er, I mean vent about. Whether it’s the political climate that seems to be warming the world as much as the meteorological climate, or it’s the economy, stupid, there’s no drought when it comes to things for which we humans vent.To vent is to basically let off some steam, to release…