As you read the following you will think I am pulling your leg. Not so. Here’s the link to the LA Times for your thoughtful perusal. And, please keep your “excited murmurs” to a minimum, if at all possible. By Stephanie Simon (c) 2007, Los Angeles Times FORT WORTH, Texas — Equal but different. You hear that a lot on the lush green campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. God values men and women equally, any student here will tell you.... Read more
Calvary has the good fortune of sharing ministry with a Burmese congregation. Last Sunday, in response to the violence in Burma, our community held a prayer service in which we prayed for the people of Burma. I was aware very poignantly in that service, of two strong sensations. The first was a distinct unfamiliarity, kind of like I was observing the service from afar. It was painfully obvious how little I actually know about Burma; that sense of longing for... Read more
I was just going about my business the other day when I heard them for what felt like the very first time. By them I mean the very familiar words of Paul from Philippians chapter 3 that I am almost certain I won an AWANA badge for memorizing: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” It happened... Read more
I’m sorry to report that it seems we’re fresh out of the Quick Reference Guide to Christian Faith. In fact, every time someone asks for one I check to see if I can put my hands on a copy but so far, no luck . . . which makes me think it may be out of print. At least here at Calvary. I decided to revisit whether or not such a thing exists because I keep having curious conversations with... Read more
I don’t want to complain . . . but I will anyway. I have had such a time with the sermon this week. I know it’s in there somewhere, but it is refusing to make its way to the paper this week. At least so far. I guess it’s a good thing that Sunday comes no matter what, so something has to appear somewhere, sometime before 11 am on Sunday morning. I hate to disenchant all of you who thought... Read more
Unfortunately, a murder took place in my office today. (No, not a church member, silly!) Well, I think the actual murder took place out at the dumpster, but the apprehension of the victim did, in fact, occur in my office. We noticed just this week that we’ve been sharing our office with a four-legged creature of the rodent variety. Apparently, pastoral intern Jackie was here late working the other night trying to make a dent in the long list... Read more
Last night as I anxiously stood next to the washing machine peering dimly through the laundry room overhead lighting trying to decide whether or not “handwash” was the same as “gentle cycle,” I mused over the fact that I am totally and completely surrounded by overachieving, Type A perfectionist colleagues. I know this, of course, mainly from all these years of intense personal introspection (the sparks of recognition fly all over staff meeting), but I was reminded again of how... Read more
I’ve never claimed to be an expert at espionage, so I’ve been rather puzzled by the fact that recent events have proven hilariously funny to my children. The long and short of it is this: I am a terrible stalker. I just hate to be sub-par at any task I take on, but I would like to point out that there’s probably a reason (or three or maybe even four) that I am in a profession where I try to get... Read more
Just back from a week at the beach where I had the opportunity to learn some critical life lessons: 1. Best not to touch a jellyfish. 2. “even coverage” spray sunscreens do not provide “even coverage” 3. If you happen to be responsible for applying said “even coverage” to another individual’s back, it’s best to go the extra mile and distribute with hands (or those individuals might get mad the next day when they have a back covered with red,... Read more
I already told you, I love this book. Again, if you haven’t already, please read it. Here’s yet another passage that struck me, especially from Calvary‘s perspective, the standpoint of a church with a long, long history . . . from pages 74-75: “On my way back home I take a little detour and stop at the address in Rome I find most strangely affecting–the Augusteum. This big, round, ruined pile of brick started life as a glorious mausoleum, built by... Read more
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