Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Few Words on Salvation – Happy Easter! Is it? Part 2

Part 2 part 2 of 5+ Are you saved? If so, from what? Or to what? What does “being saved” mean? “Saving” is an interesting term we Christians use to describe what happens to us in our relationship with God. But there are widely varying ideas amongst Christians about the word “saved” – we’ll exploreContinueContinue reading “A Few Words on Salvation – Happy Easter! Is it? Part 2”

Happy Easter! Is it? pt.1

For much of my adult life, Easter has been a celebration. But over the last number of years the celebration has been muted. Why Easter Feels Different to Me Easter is supposed to be pure joy—full of proclamations like “Christ is Risen!” and “Jesus Saves!” Yet over the years, I’ve found the day more complex…ContinueContinue reading “Happy Easter! Is it? pt.1”

We were wrong!

She is one of nearly 1,583 people who have been charged and most convicted. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvged988377o Pamela Hemphill, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in prison, told the BBC that there should be no pardons for the riot on 6 January 2021. “Accepting a pardon would only insult the Capitol police officers, ruleContinueContinue reading “We were wrong!”

Reflections on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving and the Tension of American Memory: A Reflection Thanksgiving invites us each year to pause, give thanks, and reflect—but it also invites us to rise above the myths we’ve inherited. Like many American holidays, Thanksgiving carries a story full of contrasts: celebration woven with suffering, gratitude intertwined with tragedy. The First Thanksgiving: 1621 “TheContinueContinue reading “Reflections on Thanksgiving”

Reflection – Post Election 2024

First Reflection on Exiles – The Church in the Shadow of Empire by Preston Sprinkle A key question was asked about how we/I feel as an American about this election cycle from a fellow student from outside the US – What do you think of the election in light of the first chapter of thisContinueContinue reading “Reflection – Post Election 2024”

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

https://practicaltheologytoday.com/2024/09/19/where-the-right-and-left-agree/ “The bottom line is that conservatives and liberals are united, the left wing embraces the right, Pilate and Herod becomes friends, and the one proposition that unites them is that Jesus is impractical.” People tried to press Jesus into their civic and political agendas and he would not allow it.  In their mind, JesusContinueContinue reading “Can’t We All Just Get Along?”

A Blessing – for Dan and Jess’ Wedding

On Ausgust 31, 2024 – Daniel Brandt AND Jessica Kretzschmar – were married. At the reception, several speeches and toasts were made to the couple. This one is from me, Peter, Dan’s dad. Hi, I’m Peter, most of you may know me as the father of the groom, Dan’s dad, or just that old guyContinueContinue reading “A Blessing – for Dan and Jess’ Wedding”

More on Guns and Society

Guns and Society Peter Brandt 2022 In my research about guns, I would state my thesis on guns as follows: “Guns have been used by humans against one another as one of the leading causes of human death in our world and in our country since their invention – therefore, guns have not helped humansContinueContinue reading “More on Guns and Society”

The Truth About Guns, Gun Violence in the US

We have been duped: We are being told by the now Supreme Court (circa. 2022) we must adhere to the original tenants of the Constitution – not including some of the Bill of Rights, specifically those adopted after the Civil War – the Amendments 13 to 27. This is an artifact not from our founders,ContinueContinue reading “The Truth About Guns, Gun Violence in the US”

Evangelical objections to vaccines have nothing to do with Christianity

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/30/vaccine-resistance-evangelical-christianity/Washington Post Editorial on Evangelical resistance to Covid vaccines. There are many reasons I’ve heard for not taking Covid-19 vaccines. But, the anti-vaxxer community has three fundamental anti-vaxx messages for society: COVID-19 isn’t dangerousVaccines are dangerousYou can’t trust doctors or scientists They then back these up with disinformation from various sources – mostly opinions, orContinueContinue reading “Evangelical objections to vaccines have nothing to do with Christianity”