Flipping tables and chasing people away. I’ve always liked that story. What story? The Gospel story from this past Sunday, from John 2:13-22. It’s the story of Jesus arriving at the temple in Jerusalem and not liking what he sees, he starts chasing merchants and money changers out with a whip and turning their tables... Continue Reading →
Holding Loosely…and Tightly
That was the theme for a two conference over the first weekend of February. The sub-themes for the sessions that included everyone were Holding…Beginning, Grief, Space and What’s Next. Last year’s theme, Practice Not Perfect, and this year’s seem to meld into each other. And the year in-between spoke so well to both. Last year... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Things That Matter Part 4: Stories
Throughout this past fall and up to now, I’ve been hearing and engaging in conversations about the importance and power of stories and storytelling. It’s not that this is new to me as I’ve been part of confirmation classes and retreats using the hero’s story as a launching point, had conversations on the hazards of... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Things That Matter Part 3: Truth
We tend to think of truth in absolutes, in something being true or not true. Sometimes it doesn’t work that easily. There are different kinds of truth that we live with. Merriam-Webster says truth is the body of real things, events, and facts; the state of being the case. The entry also includes the body... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Things That Matter Part 2: Integrity
What does that mean. We seem to be able to recognize it when we see it, but definitions sometimes seem muddy. Dictionary.com defines integrity as “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.” When we say someone has integrity it’s usually because we can attest to their having character traits that we... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Things That Matter – Part 1: Character
The past few weeks have provided much to ponder and reflect on. As I have tried to sort through where we’ve been, what has happened, and where we might be heading, I am taking a different approach to just writing a blog piece, and doing a series, a 4-part series. There will be overlap, but... Continue Reading →
Wonderings During In-Between Times
Wonderings and thresholds have been part of my ponderings the past few weeks. Thresholds are a common image for liminal space, that time and space between what was and what is not yet. The time between what is known and not yet known. It can be a period of uncertainty, of watchful waiting, discernment, questions,... Continue Reading →
One Word
A few years ago, a friend introduced me to the One Word idea. Instead of a New Year's resolution (which quickly falls by the wayside), you pick a word as a focus and guide for the upcoming year. My choice of word usually offers multiple meanings and uses in different contexts. My first two words... Continue Reading →
Birthing Something New
Day 6, half way through the season of Christmas. Yes, the 12 days of Christmas are real, just not what is in the popular song. It’s Christmas 2020, so it’s been a weird one…subdued, smaller, a mixture of beginnings and endings. And in both good and bad ways, more of the same. Over the course... Continue Reading →
I wonder…
Have we lost our ability to wonder?Is it not enough to understand just enough to be amazed?Sometimes knowing leads to awe.Sometimes, it removes all mystery, leaving a hollowness.Can I be okay with the not knowing?As one poet writes…live the questions.Maybe we need to live the mystery, live the wonder.Watch and wait while wondering.I do not... Continue Reading →