Creating Rainbows
“I hope I don’t step on a snake.” This intrusive thought wrangles its way into my mind as I climb the steep ditch toward the field. The tall grass, laid low, crunches under my feet. I’m not wearing the right……
Category: Paying Attention
An Update on Advent 2022
Dear friends, I cannot believe today is the first day of Advent. Since 2018, I’ve been offering daily reflections during the season of Advent. This year, I’m attempting something new. If you’re still interested in hearing from me daily during……
Blessed Are We
This sermon for Holy Trinity Sunday was inspired by a beautiful blessing in Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie and draws on the following lectionary texts for this day: Proverbs 8:1-4,……
It All Adds Up
Dear friends, It is a strange thing–after 18 years of parish ministry–to not be leading a community through Holy Week this year. I did, however, have the opportunity to preach during chapel at Wartburg Seminary yesterday. I offered what was……
Dear Mike
My brother, Mike, died at age 18 of a self-inflicted wound. Today is his birthday. He would have been 40. Dear Mike, Another year. Another birthday without you here. When we left worship last night, the sunset greeted us……
A Dead(?) Philodendron & An Advent Invitation
You know it’s bad when you kill a philodendron. I mean, when I think philodendron, I think easiest-houseplant-in-the-universe-to-keep-alive. Right? This is the plant that can endure weeks of neglect and still bounce back pretty darn well. It’s why this spring,……
And the Winner Is…
…Tara! Congratulations, Tara! I hope you enjoy your prize! We’re very high tech over here. I wrote the names on slips of paper, put them in a bowl, and had Logan pull one out. Thanks, Logan! And thanks to all……
You Must Be Present to Win: A Celebration of National Poetry Month
Earlier this month, I read a beautiful essay by Scott Edward Anderson on Poetry as Practice: How Paying Attention Helps Us Improve Our Writing in the Age of Distraction. I commend the entire essay to you. Here’s the link: https://www.cleavermagazine.com…….
Motivating Memories
I’m starting my birthday right, watching the Boston Marathon and remembering my own marathon experience two years ago. To celebrate/deny my 40th birthday, I ran the Carmel (Indiana) Marathon on April 16, 2016. It was my first; I’m confident it……
Spring Cleaning
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. –Psalm 51:10 It all started with a file I couldn’t find. Then, somewhere along the way, it became a spiritual exercise. Usually, though……