She said it wasn’t a sign of failure to find yourself standing on the edge of a dark, scary place. I never knew that before. (Or did I?) She said it was perfectly normal to look over into the dark abyss and suck your breath in so hard you can’t speak at all. Normal? What’s normal? This doesn’t feel like anything normal that I know of. She said there’s nothing unusual, nothing unusual at all, about wanting to scream and... Read more

I went to a pastors’ meeting this week.  This in itself is not that shocking, as I am a pastor and sometimes we have been known to have meetings, it’s true.  The thing is: the longer I do this work the less likely I am to attend such meetings given my overall dislike for the events.  So the thing that is really shocking and meriting of some written reflection, then, is that: I had a really wonderful time.  Honestly, I... Read more

Beginning June 13, we’ll be examining some of Jesus’ “kingdom parables” in worship.  Jesus was forever comparing his idea of God’s hope for the world to things that filled the lives of the people with whom he lived and ministered.  As he invited folks to join him in creating God’s kingdom on earth he painted all sorts of pictures to illustrate God’s dreams for what could be . . . what would be. We modern Christ-followers still struggle to understand an... Read more

It’s pretty obvious to anyone paying attention that Calvary is not a typical Baptist church.  I don’t think people appreciate, however, how completely weird this place is.  I could tell story after story, of course, about the strange things that happen here, but I could never do the reality justice. Example: lately I have been engaged in what I would call a mild difference of opinion and others would call a war with some of Calvary’s young adults over the... Read more

I fully admit I haven’t been writing here as much I I should.  Or as I want to.  It has something to do with this little hobby I have called work . . . but also, I’ve been writing regularly for the Associated Baptist Press and, let’s just be honest: even I don’t have that much to say.  I’ve decided, though, that it’s not so much about having something to say, at least for me, as it is about the... Read more

There’s so much life all around me these days that it’s starting to get just a little bit annoying.  Just last week the tidal basin was adorned with the most beautiful cherry blossoms; all around town dormant flower beds are filled again; leaves are suddenly sprouting from bare branches; the dust of pollen adds a little tinge of yellow to just about everything. I can’t verify this for sure, but it even seems to me like there are more babies... Read more

The sky peels back to purple and thunder slaps the thighs of heaven, and all the tears of those who grieve fly up to clouds and are released and drench the earth. The ones who see and hear know that all is lost. The only One named Savior died upon a cross. The ones who believed and loved huddle together stunned. All night long the angels weep. Ann Weems Read more

Sharing a poem today by David Sparenburg, which was printed in the January-March 2010 Baptist Peacemaker.  This poem is for voices who protest, for people of faith whose way is not easy, for everyone who longs for the courage to live a life of intentionality and purpose. Blessed are you thirst that teaches me the piety of water. Blessed are you hunger that teaches me the generosity of bread.   Blessed are you prejudice that leads me in righteousness to... Read more

We gathered on Sunday evening in the Calvary chapel to pray for peace and remember the life of Monsignor Oscar Romero.  Many had also spent the day marching at a rally demanding immigration reform in this country.  As we held our candles remembered the life of this one who held up God’s compassion for the poor, our Associate Pastor Edgar Palacios offered this prayer for peace (English translation printed here): God of life, God of love, you who demands justice... Read more

Why do people make the decision to have children?  I suppose there are all kinds of reasons, as many reasons, even, as there are people having those children.  But today being the anniversary of my first-ever day as a parent some sixteen years ago, I’ve been wandering a lot down memory lane trying to remember what I was thinking when I decided it might be a good idea to bring a child into this world. I must admit that it... Read more