A long, long time ago, I went through Infantry School in the United States Marine Corps, where they taught us how to “locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver and/ or repel enemy assault by fire and close combat.” Marines study such things, and they purport … [Read more...] about Running toward the fire
The legend of you
Fed Ex was based on an idea Fred Smith had in college. He shared the idea in a paper, which got a C because of the idea's impracticality. Nobody thought it would work. In the early days of the company, it looked like the skeptics were right - it wasn't obvious they would make … [Read more...] about The legend of you
The Bible on my desk
The Bible on my desk is nothing to look at. It’s black leather, with gilt edges and a black ribbon to mark your place. If you were looking for a generic idea of what a Bible should look like, it would look like this one. No, this Bible is nothing special on its own, but it is … [Read more...] about The Bible on my desk
Our stories matter. So tell good ones.
Life is about stories. Our lives are made up of stories, and as the computer in the Spike Jonze movie Her said, the past is a story we tell ourselves about ourselves. Because of that, I believe that stories matter. And sometimes, the stories we tell ourselves are the … [Read more...] about Our stories matter. So tell good ones.
Figuring out your calling
When I am working with people who want to figure out their calling (which, you may remember, is different than your job), I will give them an assignment to help them figure out their belief system, because I believe our calling is an expression of our belief system. Here is the … [Read more...] about Figuring out your calling
The world as it should be
Note: The following is the sermon I delivered this past Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Raleigh NC. It is also a pretty good example of applying a Christian humanist view to Christian Scripture. I bring greetings of Grace and Peace to you from the worshiping … [Read more...] about The world as it should be
Hugh’s Newsletter Situation
Back in the spring of 2015, I sent an email to a few people. Here is the deal: I am going to send you an email every Monday during Lent (roughly the next six weeks). I will link to five beautiful things I liked that week – perhaps a picture I liked, perhaps a funny story, perhaps … [Read more...] about Hugh’s Newsletter Situation
Voices of doubt: Tiny church edition
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. - Martin Luther King, Jr. I struggle with doubt. Not just faith doubt, but self doubt, vocational doubt, doubt of other people, and future doubt. I want to believe, and so am always on the lookout for hope - … [Read more...] about Voices of doubt: Tiny church edition
With a little help from my friends
In the second chapter of Mark is a lovely little story I first heard in Sunday school years ago. When [Jesus] returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; … [Read more...] about With a little help from my friends
My News Diet
One of the best things I have done for myself over the last six months is gone on an information diet. Just like a food diet, that means I have deliberately put limits on my consumption of information, and only allow myself to consume it at determined times. Here is what that … [Read more...] about My News Diet