Top 10 Reasons Christians Should Stop Whining About Secular Xmas

November 24, 2012 By 39 Comments
Photo by Elisabeth Gawne

"Keep Christ in Christmas!" "Jesus is the reason for the season!" "It's OK to say Merry Christmas!" I don't disagree with any of these statements. However, as a PR rep for Jesus, I cringe whenever I see them printed on a sign somewhere. I know we all lament the commercialization of a sacred day; I know that it's frustrating to see something so meaningful reduced to plastic snowmen and frozen fruitcakes. That said, it's not worth getting all offended by a 'season's greetings' card, or a … [Read more...]

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Soul Seasons

September 10, 2011 By 4 Comments
mazda62

A pumpkin latte in my hand. From Not Starbuck's. A cool crisp 62 degrees out. I am on a porch swing with a background of lush foliage, bleeding slowly from green into reds and browns and yellows. I am wearing my favorite brown sweatshirt, and reading a really great library book. The day ahead is miraculously full of nothing but open time, save playing with my kids, and later having some friends over for dinner. OK, so almost none of those things is true. I do, in fact, have a pumpkin(ish) … [Read more...]

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Saturday Night’s Alright (just alright)

August 27, 2011 By 3 Comments

One thing they don't tell you when you go into the ministry [wait--there are about a THOUSAND things that "they" don't tell you, but this is one] is that you should say good bye to Saturdays. They no longer exist. Well, at least not for you. This is why many clergy take Fridays off--to have the whole day free, knowing the next morning does not press too closely in on your sabbath day. But even then, busy churches have life on Saturdays, at least on occasion. I am a Monday-off person myself. … [Read more...]

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“The Help:” Prophets Major and Minor

August 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
the-help

Wow, this is going to be a great book. Sorry family, you will be microwaving your own dinner tonight, mama is reading. Wow, that was an awesome book! If I know you, I’m going to make you read it. I kind of want to read that again. I really wish I’d written that myself… This is the 5-stage journey of a really excellent book. Kathryn Stockett’s, “The Help” took me through every one of them when I first read it, with an extra twisty 6th step thrown in the middle. The … [Read more...]

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Where You From?

August 5, 2011 By 6 Comments
wendell-berry

Do you know Wendell Berry? I don’t mean have you ever had him over for supper, I mean, when I  say his name, do you perk up and expect to hear something good and important? If not, go here before you read on. I mean, he’s kind of a big deal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell_Berry I grew up in Kentucky. I’m from Laurel County, home of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken. (Yes, really… that thing up around Louisville is a tourist trap). London, my hometown, is also home of the … [Read more...]

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The Brown Marker

August 4, 2011 By 7 Comments
brownmarker

The Brown Marker I try to be a Spirit-led person. That is to say, I keep track of important meetings and appointments so as to respect other people’s time, but  ultimately I try to trust the need of the day to shape my day, rather than trying to shape it myself. Over-planning always malfunctions for me. In fact, the more I have planned, the less I actually do. I know this about myself. And yet, when I get stressed and overwhelmed by my schedule, my unknowns, my surroundings…you know, … [Read more...]

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Going Anyway

July 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
baby1vacaycar2

When Jeremy and i moved to arizona, we had 5 blissful weeks between the time we put ky in the rear view mirror, and my start date at foothills. We resisted all urges to come straight to phoenix, unpack, find jeremy a job, and be grown-ups. The movers took our stuff to storage (some of which we got back eventually... not recommending that moving company any time soon) and for 5 weeks we were on roam. "You're homeless!" my bff Bridget said. "We're free!" said i. We spent 3 days at a posh resort … [Read more...]

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Tomato, To-mah-to…

June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Well, about this time every year, i commence whining. About the miserable desert heat, about the astronomical utility bill, about the utter lack of lightning bugs to bring an element of joy to sweltering summer nights... and maybe, most of all, about the fruitless (ha ha) search for a good tomato in the desert. Growing up in Kentucky, i was spoiled. Every May-August or so, I could go to the farmer's market, i could count on gifts from friends' gardens, i could even find beautiful local … [Read more...]

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To Everything…

April 9, 2010 By 1 Comment

Did I forget to mention? He is risen! Like many pastors I know, the day after Easter is a very special day. While the week leading up to the holy day is a time for deep meditation, the day that follows is a time for deepest vegitation. This year I went above and beyond my usual post-holiday couch potato state, and went to another state entirely--Nevada. More specifically, Vegas. While there is a great deal to "Do" in Vegas (for better or worse) what my spouse and i most enjoy doing on these … [Read more...]

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