Norman Viss
@normanviss.bsky.social
www.justbeing.one is where I am expressing myself for the coming few years.
The well-known parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, from Luke 16:19-31, does not teach us about what heaven and hell will be like. It shows that there is hope for both rich people and Lazaruses in Jesus' Good News.
The Gospel at the Gate | U-turns Permitted
The well-known parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, from Luke 16:19-31, does not teach us about what heaven and hell will be like. It shows that there is hope for both rich people and Lazaruses in Jes...
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The well-known parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, from Luke 16:19-31, does not teach us about what heaven and hell will be like. It shows that there is hope for both rich people and Lazaruses in Jesus' Good News.
"Lord have mercy...." prayed the sinner in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. A parable of personal forgiveness and kingdom reversal. And a challenge to take these words on our lips every day. Luke 18:9-14.
Kyrie Eleison | U-turns Permitted
"Lord have mercy...." prayed the sinner in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. A parable of personal forgiveness and kingdom reversal. And a challenge to take these words on our lips ev...
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:59 PM
"Lord have mercy...." prayed the sinner in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. A parable of personal forgiveness and kingdom reversal. And a challenge to take these words on our lips every day. Luke 18:9-14.
Jesus taught that we should include those whom we would normally not include. Yet history shows that we (Christians) pretty much ignore Jesus' teaching. For example, undocumented immigrants. The passage is Luke 14:1;7-14.
Radical Inclusion | U-turns Permitted
Jesus taught that we should include those whom we would normally not include. Yet history shows that we (Christians) pretty much ignore Jesus' teaching. The passage is Luke 14:1;7-14.
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Jesus taught that we should include those whom we would normally not include. Yet history shows that we (Christians) pretty much ignore Jesus' teaching. For example, undocumented immigrants. The passage is Luke 14:1;7-14.
Much of our Christian teaching and experience focuses on how to keep the law to get/stay in God's good graces. Not this story: this woman was bent and bound. Jesus unbent and unbound her. That's good news! Lk 13:10-17.
Unbent and Unbound | U-turns Permitted
Much of our Christian teaching and experience focuses on how to keep the law to get/stay in God's good graces. There's much more to be said and experienced than that. The woman in Luke 13:10-17 was be...
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
August 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Much of our Christian teaching and experience focuses on how to keep the law to get/stay in God's good graces. Not this story: this woman was bent and bound. Jesus unbent and unbound her. That's good news! Lk 13:10-17.
Jesus frees us from fear and gives us freedom and joy as we use our resources for the betterment of God's world.
Do Not Be Afraid - Be Ready to Serve | U-turns Permitted
Today we read Luke 12:32-40. Jesus frees us from fear and gives us freedom and joy in using our resources for the betterment of His world.
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Jesus frees us from fear and gives us freedom and joy as we use our resources for the betterment of God's world.
Wow. Trump is needed to achieve Russia's conditions.
Trump will fold like a cheap suit.
“'Putin wants to keep Trump as a resource for a possible transition to peace,' said Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst in Moscow. 'Trump is needed to achieve Russia’s conditions.'”
Trump will fold like a cheap suit.
“'Putin wants to keep Trump as a resource for a possible transition to peace,' said Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst in Moscow. 'Trump is needed to achieve Russia’s conditions.'”
August 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Wow. Trump is needed to achieve Russia's conditions.
Trump will fold like a cheap suit.
“'Putin wants to keep Trump as a resource for a possible transition to peace,' said Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst in Moscow. 'Trump is needed to achieve Russia’s conditions.'”
Trump will fold like a cheap suit.
“'Putin wants to keep Trump as a resource for a possible transition to peace,' said Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst in Moscow. 'Trump is needed to achieve Russia’s conditions.'”
Today we ask ourselves what it might look like to live the life that we could call "God's life".
Sharing in God's Life | U-turns Permitted
Today we conclude our series on "What is the Gospel?". After a brief review, we ask ourselves what it might look like to live the kind of life that we might call "God's life".
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
August 4, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Today we ask ourselves what it might look like to live the life that we could call "God's life".
Our marginalization of people and destruction of creation is our middle finger to the God who made it all.
Our Treatment of (Undocumented) Immigrants is an Affront to God
I am reading a book called The Gospel According to Eve (2019) by the Rev. Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen (what a great Dutch name!). The book recounts the history of Western thought about Eve – her person and...
www.justbeing.one
July 29, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Our marginalization of people and destruction of creation is our middle finger to the God who made it all.
We live in a culture that wants to "get over" or "fix" suffering asap. We have lost the ability to experience Jesus' presence in suffering. It is part of the good news of the Gospel that we are never alone, especially not in our deepest suffering.
Jesus Walks With Us Through Suffering | U-turns Permitted
We live in a culture that wants to "get over" or "fix" suffering asap. We have lost the ability to experience Jesus' presence in suffering. It is part of the good news of the Gospel that we are never ...
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
July 23, 2025 at 2:42 PM
We live in a culture that wants to "get over" or "fix" suffering asap. We have lost the ability to experience Jesus' presence in suffering. It is part of the good news of the Gospel that we are never alone, especially not in our deepest suffering.
The church has acknowledged Jesus as King throughout the centuries, but has often used the tools of Empire to build His Kingdom. How did Jesus set up God's Kingdom and what does that teach us?
Jesus Has Come to Set Up God's Kingdom | U-turns Permitted
The church has acknowledged Jesus as King throughout the centuries, but has often used the tools of Empire to build His Kingdom. How did Jesus set up God's Kingdom and what does that teach us?
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
July 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM
The church has acknowledged Jesus as King throughout the centuries, but has often used the tools of Empire to build His Kingdom. How did Jesus set up God's Kingdom and what does that teach us?
Jesus rescues all of creation - from the intensely personal level to cosmos-wide.
Jesus Rescues All of Creation | U-turns Permitted
Our series on "What is the Gospel?" continues with thinking about how Jesus rescues all of creation, on every level, from the intensely personal to cosmos-wide.
uturnspermitted.podbean.com
July 1, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Jesus rescues all of creation - from the intensely personal level to cosmos-wide.
The white evangelical church has not helped us grapple with the questions of our modern world or led us down a fruitful path. We need more soul searching.
Soul Searching
After a recent conversation, I have been thinking about my disillusionment with the white evangelical church, and why it lies so deep. I think I have at least a partial explanation:Over the course of ...
www.justbeing.one
June 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The white evangelical church has not helped us grapple with the questions of our modern world or led us down a fruitful path. We need more soul searching.
Of course they’re going back to Biden’s plan….lol
FEMA scraps new hurricane plan and reverts to last year’s - The Wall Street Journal
FEMA scraps new hurricane plan and reverts to last year’s - The Wall Street Journal
June 4, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Of course they’re going back to Biden’s plan….lol
FEMA scraps new hurricane plan and reverts to last year’s - The Wall Street Journal
FEMA scraps new hurricane plan and reverts to last year’s - The Wall Street Journal
Jesus has come to earth to show us God's love. What is God's love? And what about God's wrath? And what do you do if things are pretty bad and God's love seems far away?
www.justbeing.one/post/jesus-s...
www.justbeing.one/post/jesus-s...
www.justbeing.one
June 2, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Jesus has come to earth to show us God's love. What is God's love? And what about God's wrath? And what do you do if things are pretty bad and God's love seems far away?
www.justbeing.one/post/jesus-s...
www.justbeing.one/post/jesus-s...
The first of a 6-part series on "What is the Gospel?". In the times in which we live, a robust and rich understanding of what God has done for all of creation in Jesus may provide purpose and hope. Here is part 1:
www.justbeing.one/post/what-is...
www.justbeing.one/post/what-is...
What is the Gospel? Part 1
I am currently doing a 6-part sermon series entitled "What is the Gospel?"Many of us who identify as Christians have a unclear view of the gospel or one that is too narrow.In the times in which we liv...
www.justbeing.one
May 28, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The first of a 6-part series on "What is the Gospel?". In the times in which we live, a robust and rich understanding of what God has done for all of creation in Jesus may provide purpose and hope. Here is part 1:
www.justbeing.one/post/what-is...
www.justbeing.one/post/what-is...
Well it seems my prediction yesterday was pretty much correct.
Except I missed the concept that Trump would pass the buck to others when/if the going gets tough.
"I'm just going to back away. This is not my war."
Then he suggested that perhaps Pope Leo XIV could broker peace.
Except I missed the concept that Trump would pass the buck to others when/if the going gets tough.
"I'm just going to back away. This is not my war."
Then he suggested that perhaps Pope Leo XIV could broker peace.
May 20, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Well it seems my prediction yesterday was pretty much correct.
Except I missed the concept that Trump would pass the buck to others when/if the going gets tough.
"I'm just going to back away. This is not my war."
Then he suggested that perhaps Pope Leo XIV could broker peace.
Except I missed the concept that Trump would pass the buck to others when/if the going gets tough.
"I'm just going to back away. This is not my war."
Then he suggested that perhaps Pope Leo XIV could broker peace.
Prediction - and I’m happy to be shown/proven wrong:
Trump will speak with Putin and Zelenskyy today by phone.
He will use superlatives to claim that the talks were very successful and praise his role.
There will be no details given on what was discussed.
Nothing will change.
Trump will speak with Putin and Zelenskyy today by phone.
He will use superlatives to claim that the talks were very successful and praise his role.
There will be no details given on what was discussed.
Nothing will change.
May 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Prediction - and I’m happy to be shown/proven wrong:
Trump will speak with Putin and Zelenskyy today by phone.
He will use superlatives to claim that the talks were very successful and praise his role.
There will be no details given on what was discussed.
Nothing will change.
Trump will speak with Putin and Zelenskyy today by phone.
He will use superlatives to claim that the talks were very successful and praise his role.
There will be no details given on what was discussed.
Nothing will change.
The DJT administration has suspended funds designed to assist older youth in the Foster Care system transition to adulthood. I have volunteered for 7 years with this group. Xians voted for this. I am furious. Program description:
pacasa.org
April 25, 2025 at 8:56 PM
The DJT administration has suspended funds designed to assist older youth in the Foster Care system transition to adulthood. I have volunteered for 7 years with this group. Xians voted for this. I am furious. Program description:
"Whenever the church has gained power and wealth throughout history, corruption and exploitation follow. From the time of Constantine, church leaders sidle up to candidates with whom they share nothing in common except the hunger for power.”
The Church and Power
I am reading a book by Liz Charlotte Grant called Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible. “Braiding together encounters with the natural world, Jewish midrash, and ar...
www.justbeing.one
April 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
"Whenever the church has gained power and wealth throughout history, corruption and exploitation follow. From the time of Constantine, church leaders sidle up to candidates with whom they share nothing in common except the hunger for power.”
Oh my..."Today’s builders of Babel tell us that there is no room for losers, and that those who fall along the way are losers. Theirs is the construction site of Hell. God’s economy...does not kill, discard or crush. It is lowly, faithful to the earth."
Pope Francis, 18/4/25
Pope Francis, 18/4/25
April 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Oh my..."Today’s builders of Babel tell us that there is no room for losers, and that those who fall along the way are losers. Theirs is the construction site of Hell. God’s economy...does not kill, discard or crush. It is lowly, faithful to the earth."
Pope Francis, 18/4/25
Pope Francis, 18/4/25
“May the principle of humanity never fail to be the hallmark of our daily actions.”
Among Pope Francis’ last public words.
May our leaders take them seriously.
RIP and well done, faithful servant.
Among Pope Francis’ last public words.
May our leaders take them seriously.
RIP and well done, faithful servant.
April 21, 2025 at 11:40 AM
“May the principle of humanity never fail to be the hallmark of our daily actions.”
Among Pope Francis’ last public words.
May our leaders take them seriously.
RIP and well done, faithful servant.
Among Pope Francis’ last public words.
May our leaders take them seriously.
RIP and well done, faithful servant.
Mr. Trump’s promise to end the war in 24 hours was, of course, empty air.
Now we are abandoning Ukraine to Russia.
“The United States will abandon efforts to end the war in Ukraine if it proves impossible to broker meaningful progress in the next several days.” Marco Rubio
Now we are abandoning Ukraine to Russia.
“The United States will abandon efforts to end the war in Ukraine if it proves impossible to broker meaningful progress in the next several days.” Marco Rubio
April 18, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Mr. Trump’s promise to end the war in 24 hours was, of course, empty air.
Now we are abandoning Ukraine to Russia.
“The United States will abandon efforts to end the war in Ukraine if it proves impossible to broker meaningful progress in the next several days.” Marco Rubio
Now we are abandoning Ukraine to Russia.
“The United States will abandon efforts to end the war in Ukraine if it proves impossible to broker meaningful progress in the next several days.” Marco Rubio
The Chinese culture is over 5000 years old.
They are more than a match for the United States.
And especially DJT. He doesn’t stand a chance against the Chinese.
They are more than a match for the United States.
And especially DJT. He doesn’t stand a chance against the Chinese.
April 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM
The Chinese culture is over 5000 years old.
They are more than a match for the United States.
And especially DJT. He doesn’t stand a chance against the Chinese.
They are more than a match for the United States.
And especially DJT. He doesn’t stand a chance against the Chinese.
An EO signed this week designed to "Drill, Baby, Drill" and destroy the sovereignty of individual States if necessary to make that possible. No limits to fossil fuel pollutants that can find their way into our lungs and bloodstream. And your children’s.
An Executive Order to Vandalize the Earth - and Destroy State's Sovereignty
My friend John Elwood, climate expert/activist and theologian, has a Substack account.Today's post is about Trump's executive order of April 8, 2025, in which he orders his Attorney General to interfe...
www.justbeing.one
April 11, 2025 at 9:25 PM
An EO signed this week designed to "Drill, Baby, Drill" and destroy the sovereignty of individual States if necessary to make that possible. No limits to fossil fuel pollutants that can find their way into our lungs and bloodstream. And your children’s.
David Brooks: "Maybe the best description for what I’m feeling is moral shame: To watch the loss of your nation’s honor is embarrassing and painful."
Moral Shame
David Brooks has been a strong conservative and moral voice in America for decades. His list of achievements and accolades is long. In The Atlantic of April 7, 2025, he wrote this in an article entitl...
www.justbeing.one
April 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM
David Brooks: "Maybe the best description for what I’m feeling is moral shame: To watch the loss of your nation’s honor is embarrassing and painful."