One word: Together We use this word in all kinds of ways… Sometimes it’s a happy word, “My friend from across town and I had lunch together the other day.” Sometimes it’s full of loss, “My spouse and I are not together anymore.” Sometimes it’s a word of hope, “We should have a get-together.” Sometimes … Continue reading Togetherness
Random
Goal Oriented
About a year or so ago, some friends and I, went to a ropes course. On site there were several courses at varying heights. The lowest challenges, called Exploration Courses were 10ft off the ground. The more difficult challenges, called Conqueror Courses were much higher, about 35ft high. I was excited to get on the … Continue reading Goal Oriented
Remain in Me
“Remain in me and I will remain in you.” These are Jesus’ words to his disciples as he prepares to be arrested. They are words of farewell but also of encouragement and comfort. For the last couple of years, the disciples have followed Jesus, learned from him, and depended on his guidance and wisdom. What … Continue reading Remain in Me
Entering the New Normal
I want to talk a little about congregational life post-pandemic. The reality is the pandemic changed things for congregations across the world. Believers have changed too; we are not the same people we were a year ago. We are living in a new-normal. No matter where you are on your faith journey you are probably … Continue reading Entering the New Normal
Giving the Beloved
https://youtu.be/iO1kSUlnLcc Hear the message that we are the Beloved of God. This is an idea that I learned from Henri Nouwen's sermons. Using Nouwen's idea, I share my own perspective on how we share that message with others. Being the beloved is not something we keep for ourselves, it is a gift we pass along … Continue reading Giving the Beloved
Plant From Hebron
Last year this plant appeared in the foyer of our church building. It is from the Hebron in Israel. When I got it I immediately thought this would be a good plant for my office, so I kept it. At first I watered it every couple of days. It was a disaster. The plant is … Continue reading Plant From Hebron
What is Purgatory
A fixation on what immediately follows death is common, I think, to people across cultures and faiths. As a child I was very concerned about the continuing existence of some family friends who passed away. I recall having vivid dreams about them, where they gathered together in the afterlife. It gave my childhood self some … Continue reading What is Purgatory
Shortsighted
As a child a friend and I hiked a mountain together. Every step was swift and hurried, to carry us past the woods and trails for the summit. Without consideration we blazed through the forest to reach the top before my friend’s parents could follow. We wanted to see it first. We wanted to see … Continue reading Shortsighted
In it Together
No person, irrespective of gender, is honored by an enforced presumption of one’s identity or ability. To the contrary, every human spirit balks at such oppression. God, the author of our souls, who made us for love and community, did not impinge our will to refuse him. He even watches, broken-heartedly, as we turn to … Continue reading In it Together
