My 3-year-old has a new catch phrase response for when you ask her a question and she doesn’t know the answer. Or at least, doesn’t have the words handy. She says, “I don’t know. I haven’t seen the movie yet.” Now, somewhere in her quickly-developing brain, there is a very literal connection in there, something that has to do with an actual movie. Not that she’s seen many movies–she does well to sit through a 20-minute cartoon–but she thinks there is a... Read more
“Good afternoon. My name is **Jane** and I’m with **Betterthanyou** ministries. I was wondering if you’d like to meet with one of our missionaries and learn more about how to share the gospel of Jesus with our Jewish brothers and sisters?” Oh, girlfriend. You are barking up the wrong cactus… And THIS is why i usually don’t answer the office phones in the afternoon, unless it is a name i recognize on that caller i.d. You know how you think... Read more
As a pastor, I see it time and time and time again: a person has been deeply wounded by a loved-one. They struggle to process the world through this new lens of heartbreak. It doesn’t matter if it is a sibling, a spouse, a friend, or a parent/child relationship –we are hurt most profoundly by those we love. It is, in fact, the cost of loving, and perhaps the most painful cost of being a person. What I notice, time (and... Read more
How do we develop a taste for good things? Is it an acquired taste, cultivated by careful nurture? Or are some of us just born with a hunger for life that drives us through every transition, challenge and heartache with the promise of good news on the other side? I ask my 3-year-old, “What are your favorite things?” I see wheels turning, and finally she says, “I don’t know.” (Translation:”I do know, but I don’t quite have the words in my 3-year-old sense of... Read more
First, confessions of an English major: I was totally thrown off my zen today by my yoga instructor’s improper use of the word “invaluable.” I could not release the error to its own beautiful truth or whatever, and focus in the present moment. That out of the way–best class ever today. We focused on twists. I’m sure there are fancy yogi terms for twist variations, but to me, all that was lost after invaluable. As far am I’m concerned, we just spent... Read more
God spoke to me today. I love when that happens. I hate when that happens. I love when that happens because hearing the voice of God is the simple reward for living a (reasonably) spiritual life. When you move through the world looking for something holy at every turn (translation: looking for sermon material), then eventually, you will see something holy. If you wait for a clear next step each day (ok, maybe every other day. If i’m not too busy) then yes,... Read more
I’m working/praying/stumbling my way through a sermon series on the Beatitudes, otherwise known at my place as S*^! Jesus Says. In getting to the heart of these simple yet soul-shifting imperatives, I find it helpful to start with that which Jesus did not say: So, for week 2, S*^! Jesus Did Not Say: —Blessed are they who avoid nursing homes, hospitals, and funerals, for fear of their own human frailty. –Blessed are those who think divorce is contagious, and steer clear... Read more
Maybe I’m too young to claim The Band as part of the soundtrack to my life. But the death of Levon Helm has me thinking about the first time I heard “The Weight–” or at least the first time i paid attention–and well, i do believe it did some shaping of me that Debbie Gibson, Guns n Roses, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers didn’t quite manage. A Coke commercial: A beautiful woman drives a convertible through the desert, with a happy and faithful looking dog. “The... Read more
When I was pregnant, I could not eat green vegetables. I couldn’t stomach the tastes and textures, plus the heartburn that ensued was unbearable. (I often think that nature uses pregnancy to prepare women for motherhood in many ways. Including, perhaps, making us empathetic to a picky toddler’s eating habits). So, I ate lots of fruit and took my vitamins, and hoped that God would work out the math on all the fingers and toes that were knitting themselves together inside... Read more
It is no secret: vocational ministers are burning out, leaving the Church, and experiencing a rise in stress-related health problems. I’m grateful that this issue is getting some attention lately in mainstream media, and also for the good work of organizations like The Lilly Endowment. These folks are taking proactive measures to curb the trend. They not only help raise awareness; they help equip congregations and pastors with resources, better practices, and networks of support to keep everyone healthy and happy.... Read more
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