Here I offer links to my past "musings", and other writings, on a variety of topics. I've been posting weekly articles for ten years: this list consists of pieces that drew significant comments from readers, or that cover topics that I think are of enduring significance.
Writing is one of my spiritual disciplines. Often I don't know clearly what I'm feeling or thinking until I put my fingers to the keyboard. "Musings" has been a way to maintain conversation with friends and colleagues in places far-flung from mine. And it is my attempt to contribute to the progressive Christian movement world-wide. If my "musings" can be useful to lay people who are trying to find a new way to practice and express their spiritual journeys, if quotes or ideas from my writings are put to use by preachers, writers, and activists, then I'm thankful to be helpful in this way. I'm grateful to be a part of such a soulful, thoughtful community of friends who continue to shape so much of what I write!
My books on progressive Christianity are in print and available at Amazon:
My latest book, HITCH-HIKING TO ALASKA: The Way of Soulful Service (St Johann Press: 2013), celebrates and explores service as a spiritual practice. How can spiritual practice (whether or not it is formally religious) help me to help others better? How can I "hang in there" in service, when the going gets tough? How can I grow in faith through service? How can I go deeper in helping relationships?
My personal website is www.jimburklo.com . There you will find my online book, BREAD AND ASPHALT, about my years of work with homeless people. Also you'll see pages about progressive Christianity, eco-spirituality, weddings, religious and spiritual education for children, and other topics.
Selected "Musings" by topic:
What Is Progressive Christianity?
Inside Out (a meditation on the future of the church)
The Arts of Compassion:
Seeds of Listening
How to Change the World
Are You Willing?
Liturgy, Ritual, Drama:
Jim Burklo's Book of Common Prayer - liturgical elements
Interpretations of the Psalms
Poetry of Advent/Christmas
Water Into Wine (meditation on communion)
The Vine (words of institution for communion)
But or And? (a play for worship)
The Meeting of Rumi and Shams (a play for worship)
Matthew 13 Revisited (a play for worship)
A Sermon for Sneetches (a poetic sermon for kids and adults)
New Songs (poetic litanies)
Songs and Hymns:
New Words for Old Hymns
We're All Mojados
Faith and Social/Political Action:
Biblical Voters' Guide
Blessing of the Taxes
How (Not for Whom) I'm Voting
Civil Initiative for Same-Sex Marriage
The Burklo Limit (on income inequality)
Progressive Taxation and Christian Faith
Defining and Defending Religious Freedom
Soulful Citizenship (audio of a speech, 9-20-12)
Prayer, Meditation, Spiritual Practice:
The Flow
Three Prayers
A Prayer for Wisdom
My Little God
Lord's Prayer - An Interpretation
The Active Ingredient
Artistic Contemplation of the Cross (see my "Stations of the Cross" at www.jimburklo.com)
Ebb Tide
The FeAST
Biblical Interpretation:
The Bible and Bob Marley
The Bible and Billy Collins
What's the Word?
Miracles and Myths
Metaphorical Literalism
Poetry:
WORD Jazz (a poetic sermon)
Fat Tuesday WORD Jazz (a poetic sermon for Lent)
O Little Town (a prayer for Christmas)
The Virgin Monologue (a prayer for Christmas)
Interlude for Gratitude (for Thanksgiving)
Ash Wednesday
Oddservations
Tweets from my Subconscious
Mecca
Three Odes
Topa Topa
Bob's Poetry Supply
Where Poems Hide
Mysticism and Spirituality:
Wider Love
Talking Trees
Love Practice
On a Starry Night (for my dad!)
The Dark Virgin
Sanctuary
The Bridges of Hanalei Bay
The River
A Tree Story
Why I'm Here
Not Yet (meditation on Advent)
Feeling For (I Am Not Here For Me)
Humble Faith
A Great Achievement
Immaculate Conception
You Are the Beauty That You See
Parables and Stories:
The Clay Bird
Parable of the Uncut Sapphire
From Seeds and Stardust
Oddservations:
Quotations from Jim Burklo
Time for the Tiara (for my mom!)
Application for Membership in the 12 Disciples
Bringing Words to Life (a lecture on public speaking)
Homelessness and Houselessness (appeared in the book, The Best of CoEvolution Quarterly)
