A dying person may say that they want to “go home.” What do they mean? Where is their home? Obviously, many think it is heaven.   I read on Internet that “The idiom for death as ‘going home’ refers to the spiritual idea of the soul returning to a divine or eternal resting place, a concept known as "homegoing," especially prominent in African American culture, viewing death as a joyous return to God/Africa, rather than an ending, with services often called " homegoing celebrat

(a Steve Orr Bible reflection)   That bull was moving!   It happened about the time everyone was headed back from lunch. The bull, lighting out for the territory ahead, was giving it his all. As he sprinted down a very busy street, he was pursued by a man in a red pickup truck, lasso and whip at the ready.   Four police cars completed that fast-moving parade.   It  was  a sight.   Drivers pulled to the side as the bull and his entourage headed toward the traffic circle. Folks

When someone commits suicide in the Kewa culture, or tries to, they are “eating the rope.” The “rope “is made of a strong vine and can be fashioned into a loop and knot (a kind of noose) and slipped over the head and around the neck. Metaphorically, one is “eating the rope.”   I once saw a woman who tried to “eat the rope” but failed. She had put the noose around her neck, jumped off a vine bridge over a small stream and tried to kill herself. However, some men working nearby

(a Steve Orr Bible reflection)   They tried to kill “Bohemian Rhapsody”—arguably the greatest achievement of rock group Queen—before the public ever even heard of it.    Record producers just could not wrap their heads around it. The song seemed to whirl about like one of its lyrics: “any way the wind blows.” Some parts seemed to be going somewhere, but then never arrived. Some seemed completely out of context. Several interjections didn't seem to relate to anything.    And m

Last week was “Ash Wednesday” and I participated in its service at our church. At one point my friend to the left of me made the sign of the cross on my forehead and reminded me that I was made from dust and would return to dust. (Genesis 3.19) I did the same to the woman on my right. Everyone in the room performed the same deed and received it in return.   I was reminded that God had “ formed a man from the   dust   of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of