Charles Oberkehr

Between Darkness And Light

In these moments, God comes. Like a thief in the night, Jesus says. Or maybe, like a dog’s wet nose in the night. Or a confused parent pushing open a bedroom door in the night.

On August 3, 1980, Ronald Reagan kicked off his successful presidential campaign with a speech at the Neshoba County Fair, 7 miles from Philadelphia, Mississippi, the town associated with the murders of the Civil Rights activists Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner in 1964. “I believe in state’s rights.” Reagan declared in his speech. Picking up the piecesContinue reading “Republican Epitaph”

What is Truth?

How can anyone really know the truth? You hear that all the time today. Four years of Trump and 20,000+ lies coupled with a right-wing disinformation machine spewing daily doses of lies and toxicity, have spawned the Q-ANON conspiracy movement, a political party detached from reality, and rendered the truth unknowable in any meaningful wayContinue reading “What is Truth?”

Calling For Unity Is Not Enough

So, Trump has been impeached again. With some Republican support this time, but not much. 10 Representatives voted to impeach, leaving close to 200 Republicans opposing. Some preferring “censure,” whatever the hell that means. Yelling “bad dog” after it peed on the rug? Republicans claim that Democrats pursuing impeachment now is “divisive.” We need “unity!” We needContinue reading “Calling For Unity Is Not Enough”

Making Sense of the First “Debate”

Last night’s debate was not a debate at all. It was an abusive spectacle that demeaned and debased everyone who participated. Including those who tuned in. Thinking that it was their democratic duty. An informed electorate and all. Yeah, we were informed alright. And what we learned, turned the stomach of all but the most ardent Trump supporters. ForContinue reading “Making Sense of the First “Debate””

American Taliban Tour Pennsylvania

Smug white men Drive around in pick ups These days before the election, Flags flying like the The Taliban used to In Afghanistan, Clouds of choking dust In their wake They appear suddenly here too, Extracting consent From your startled silence As they flash by Grinning like thieves Arm dangling from an open window WristContinue reading “American Taliban Tour Pennsylvania”

Healing America

I’ve read many books over my lifetime. However, I can count on one hand the number of books that have changed the way I see the world. CASTE: The Origins of our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson, is one of those books. Ms. Wilkerson is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Warmth of Other Suns. Her latest work isContinue reading “Healing America”

Lamenting Your Way To Hope

By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion (Psalm 137:1) In the Book of Psalms, there are psalms of lament. Psalm 137, quoted above, is one of them. Psalm 137 is a psalm of national lament. This week, the words of this psalm echo in my heart. ThisContinue reading “Lamenting Your Way To Hope”

The Web Of Wonder Spun Around Us

It’s a beautiful night tonight, just a hint of Fall in the air. I’m watching a spider spin a web anchored to the solar light I put under the cherry tree I planted in memory of my sister a couple of years ago. The spider drops down from the dark leaves through the light onContinue reading “The Web Of Wonder Spun Around Us”

The Clarity Of Butterflies

Butterflies have arrived in force in our garden. I’d read about how the bee population has been dwindling. Pollinators, in general, are under stress from the loss of habitat. So, when I was choosing plants for the garden, I chose native plants when possible. I looked for the tag that said, “Bee Friendly.” As a result, theContinue reading “The Clarity Of Butterflies”