The First Sunday in Advent 2016
Early this morning, still in my bathrobe and slipper-socks, I walked out on the frost white ground to cut branches from an evergreen for our Advent Wreath. Today we light the first candle and officially begin to get excited about Christmas. Preparing for that moment, I began to think about why we celebrate Advent . . .
Knowing God through His Word — Part 2
Part two of Knowing God through His Word asks, “How does knowing the Bible bring seekers closer to God, even into union with Him?” Since God is Spirit and He relates to every one uniquely and personally, the answer isn’t easy. Fortunately, there are a few guidelines . . .
Knowing God through His Word — Part 1
This series of brief essays, Knowing God through His Word, looks at Bible study through many lenses. It discusses reasons to study the Bible, hindrances to Bible study, and practical approaches to Bible study and memorization. It draws from from many different authors, disciplines, points of view, and centuries.
Knowing God through His Word — Part 3
Part three suggests a few things that help to find God’s Spirit and life in the Scriptures and to hear His loving voice speaking just to you. . .
Essays in Ephesians #2 (chap 1:4-6)
God choose us! He choose us. Have you experienced being NOT chosen? Not chosen for the team? The committee? The job? The club? The promotion? Being not chosen can be a bit discomforting and stir up feelings of not being good enough, or liked enough, or qualified enough. If our identity is wrapped up in being chosen, it can stop us for a season…
The Nursing Home
Occasionally a little faith-talk or a short prayer with these elderly residents who’d faithfully said their prayers since childhood happened automatically. Sometimes they’d initiate a spiritual moment; sometimes a word of blessing would slip from my lips. Often, as the night aide, I was the last person a resident saw before sleep.
Primary Election Thoughts
Neither party gives more than lip service to the values of large sections of American voters. And many voters don’t seem to care. After living through eighteen elections, it feels smashingly irregular to watch masses of voters swaying and clapping to rhetoric and propaganda on both sides. It’s scary. Going to vote last week felt urgently important, but I didn’t know how to vote. I wasn’t sure any candidate was qualified.
Divisions? Or Revived in Love?
Church Conflicts At times church conflicts are symptoms of buried personal pain seeping out sideways. For example, a friend of mine was abused in childhood. She grew up to mistrust all male authority figures. She challenged all male pastors. The husband of another friend was misogynistic; he was also a divinity school graduate whose issues had wrecked his […]
Random Thoughts on Deuteronomy 1
I LONGED TO BRING the Book of Deuteronomy alive for the ladies in our Bible study, but I didn’t know where to begin. When I confessed my uncertainty, a friend from the group asked, “What do you want to us to learn?” I knew right away. It was simple. I wanted three things. First, I wanted God to […]
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Although the words “Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” may seem like the automatic repetition of a formulaic New Testament letter writing convention, I don’t think Paul would have used them if they were merely empty rhetoric.
TAILING: Respect for One Another’s Safe Space
A friend said younger men don’t care and won’t read this because “everyone” knows that drivers are jerks these days. It’s a boring topic! And an over worked one too. He said my comments are outdated partly because of today’s well-made cars and seatbelts.
Christmas 2015
2015 has been a good year—filled with joys both familiar and unforeseen. Outside our window we’ve heard the calls of sand hill cranes, the chorus of frogs, and the wind moving through the nearby oaks and hickories;
