Author: Dwight J. Friesen

Standing Against AAPI Hate

The Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC) is working with local churches and organizations to stand against Asian American & Pacific Islanders (AAPI) hate and to mourn the loss of the 8 precious image bearers who were massacred. Marches are already

Dwight J. Friesen March 21, 2021November 2, 2022

So Grateful to be Vaccinated & . . .

I am so grateful to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19. I was actually surprised at how hope-inducing the experience was. The teams of medical professionals and volunteers delivering the vaccine had an air of the elves in Santa’s woodshop and

Dwight J. Friesen March 20, 2021November 21, 2021

Poet: Spencer Reece

At Thomas Merton’s Grave by Spencer Reece We can never be with loss too long. Behind the warped door that sticks, the wood thrush calls to the monks, pausing upon the stone crucifix, singing: “I am marvelous alone!” Thrash, thrash

Dwight J. Friesen March 19, 2021November 21, 2021

Remembering Dr. John Polkinghorne

Quantum theory also tells us that the world is not simply objective; somehow it’s something more subtle than that. In some sense it is veiled from us, but it has a structure that we can understand. John Polkinghorne I’m grieving

Dwight J. Friesen March 18, 2021November 6, 2022

Sanctity of Life & Dignity of All

Declaring The Sanctity Of Life & The Dignity Of All We come together as senior religious leaders, academics, and lay leaders from around the world to affirm the sanctity of life and dignity of all. We affirm that all human

Dwight J. Friesen March 17, 2021December 19, 2022

Abraham Joshua Heschel – New Documentary

A documentary looking at the life of Abraham Joshua Heschel was released at the end of last month… I can’t wait to see it. I’ve been rereading Heschel’s The Sabbath in preparation for a spring course I’ll be teaching at

Dwight J. Friesen March 11, 2021November 22, 2021

Faithful Presence in Bend Oregon

“The Spirit teaches us how to participate with God in the restoration of all things; maybe the more common term for this would be mission…[I]t’s a mission which connects our unique desires to the work of the Spirit to keep

Dwight J. Friesen March 5, 2021November 22, 2021

Jim Gaffigan Nearly Killed Me!

“I’m not a foodie; I’m an eatie. I don’t have anything against foodies. I just don’t have the time or the interest to do that much research.” Jim Gaffigan Stand-up comedy can be – among other things – prophetic. I

Dwight J. Friesen March 4, 2021November 2, 2022

It’s My Birthday!

52 years ago today Ben & Rosella and my older sister Michelle (my younger brother – Dallas – wasn’t yet on the scene) welcomed me into the world. It was the same year humans first stepped on the moon; the

Dwight J. Friesen March 3, 2021October 28, 2022

“The Old Lie”

Dulce et Decorum Est  By Wilfred Owen Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men

Dwight J. Friesen March 2, 2021November 22, 2021

March is Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month is an annual declared month set aside to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. What we now know as the month long observation in the USA, began

Dwight J. Friesen March 1, 2021September 26, 2022

Opening in Bellevue

Last fall Seattle’s legendary drive-in burger joint announced their intent to open a new restaurant location on the Eastside. Granted, I may be way too excited about this announcement, but yesterday I heard the news that Dick’s Drive-In will be

Dwight J. Friesen February 26, 2021November 22, 2021

“It’s My Corner After All”

I love the opening scenes of the 1995 “Smoke” by film makers Wayne Wang and Paul Auster. Among others, the movie features Harvey Keitel, William Hurt, Stockard Channing, Harold Perrineau Jr., and very young Forest Whitaker. The story begins as a local business owner is

Dwight J. Friesen February 24, 2021November 22, 2021

Today! “Interfaith Perspectives on Loving Our Neighbors”

Today The Parliament of the World’s Religions is joining organizers and community leaders in Chicago as part of the City’s Together We Heal initiative by hosting a series of virtual programs to foster conversation and share tools on healing and

Dwight J. Friesen February 23, 2021September 26, 2022

The Grammar of our Lives

Phuc Tran offers an insightful TED talk inviting us to attend afresh to the grammar of our lives. So good! Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen February 22, 2021November 22, 2021

Knowing Through Unknowing

I’ve been reading, rereading, and listening to others’ reading many of Meister Eckhart’s works over the past year. I have come to sense that reading – especially out loud – is itself a great hermeneutical act. I love hearing other

Dwight J. Friesen February 18, 2021November 22, 2021

Lenten Journey Begins

Today is Ash Wednesday; the first day of Lent. My school’s Scared Space, Office of Students & Alumni, and my Life Together class sent out Lenten observation kits to any current students, staff or faculty who wanted one. Today’s chapel

Dwight J. Friesen February 17, 2021November 22, 2021

“This is My Story”

My love of jazz  began when I was in junior high.  My older sister often let me hang out with her and her high school friends… one of her many generosities.  One of her friends played trumpet in a jazz

Dwight J. Friesen February 15, 2021November 22, 2021

“God Would Kneel Down”

GOD WOULD KNEEL DOWN by St. Francis of Assisi I think God might be a little prejudiced. For once He asked me to join Him on a walk through this world,and we gazed into every heart on this earth, and

Dwight J. Friesen February 14, 2021November 22, 2021

The Black Church

“This is the story and song our ancestors bequeathed to us, and it comes at a time in our country when the very things they struggled and died for — faith and freedom, justice and equality, democracy and grace —

Dwight J. Friesen February 13, 2021November 22, 2021

TIME & place

I’m getting ready to teach a new class: “Spirituality & Sabbath.” I’m having a blast reading, mediating, praying, sketching, and thinking in preparation. As you may know, I’ve spent the better part of my adult life opening to faithful presence

Dwight J. Friesen February 12, 2021November 22, 2021

Solidarity in Suffering

This coming Wednesday – one week from today – begins an intentional journey inviting spiritual seekers to join in solidarity with suffering and all who suffer. It is a season to hold with honest generosity and curiosity the suffering one

Dwight J. Friesen February 10, 2021November 24, 2021

Review in The Presbyterian Outlook

“Spiritual Direction” is the theme of the February 8, 2021 edition of The Presbyterian Outlook. The issue provides resources to support Christian faith communities in their ongoing work of discerning the presence and invitation of the Holy Spirit through its

Dwight J. Friesen February 8, 2021November 24, 2021

What Now!?!

Yesterday’s acts of deadly violence executed by some extremist Trump supporters who stormed the Nation’s Capitol is egregious to say the least. But the idea that some those people were trying to justify their actions by claiming that Jesus Christ

Dwight J. Friesen February 7, 2021November 24, 2021

Leadership & First Followers

In the late 2000’s (maybe 2009?) at Washington State’s Sasquatch Festival during a performance by Santigold of her hit, “Unstoppable” a lone guy starts dancing on a hill. Derek Sivers made this video famous by using it to illustrate the

Dwight J. Friesen February 1, 2021November 24, 2021

Early Mystical Encounter

God is _______! As a child I heard many responses meant to fill in this blank . . . just, holy, righteous, perfect, omnipresent, omnipotent, savior, love, and the list went on. I heard many names for God, mostly rooted

Dwight J. Friesen January 29, 2021November 8, 2021

“Little Boxes” – A Rant about Racism, Suburbs & Feeling Special

In 1962 Malvina Reynolds released her song “Little Boxes” – used as the theme for the Showtime series “Weeds” – and it’s a song capturing the fear of being ordinary, at least in part. The fear of having a ticky-tacky

Dwight J. Friesen January 28, 2021November 8, 2021

I Wish None of this Had Happened

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is

Dwight J. Friesen January 26, 2021February 8, 2024

Risk & Joy

Last trimester a student posted a link to this video in our course’s chat. I have gone back and watched it number of times since then, so I thought I’d post it here so I can have a record of

Dwight J. Friesen January 25, 2021November 8, 2021

Doing Practical Theology

I received an email from a dear friend who is an executive director of a Latin American mission collective. As I responded to the email I thought I’d take some of what I offered, modify it slightly, and post it

Dwight J. Friesen January 22, 2021November 8, 2021