Before I started my blog, I felt a stirring inside to write, I mean writing for others to read. I did not know what form that would take. I wondered if I had a book inside me, or anything of value to offer. I mused aloud to my daughter that I was thinking of starting a blog, but I wanted to wait until I was … Continue reading It’s in the Writing
June 14, 2018…This week I received my certification as a spiritual director from Seeking the Spirit Within, a ministry of the Nebraska Synod (ELCA) Institute for Spiritual Direction Formation. Spiritual direction happens when someone seeking more depth in their spirituality receives assistance from a companion who is trained to help them recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in their life. To learn more about … Continue reading Thoughts on Spiritual Direction
If Jesus turned the religious world upside down while he lived among us, things did not settle down after he left. It is recorded in The Acts of the Apostles: Pentecost was just the beginning of a revolution. The Holy Spirit blew into the room with the sound of wind, the appearance of fire, and the chaos of several languages chattering at once. Jesus’ friends … Continue reading 4: “…and the Holy Spirit”
Jesus was popular with masses of people not only because he healed some of them, but also because they sensed that he spoke with authority. From our (Christians’) perspective, we know why he had that authority: he is one of the Godhead, the Son himself. Because he is divine, and we believe the radical claim that he became human and lived among us, what he … Continue reading #3: “Then There’s Jesus”
This is the second of several posts addressing the debate about homosexuality that will soon take place at the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America (June 7-12, 2018). To see earlier posts, scroll down. Before I continue, let me say that every single statement I make in these posts is backed up by many hours of study and thought and dialogue. I could … Continue reading #2: “But the Bible Says…”
I think it is important for the people of Reformed churches to know what is happening in your denomination that will have a direct impact on the life of local congregations. In June this year—less than two weeks from now—the General Synod of the RCA will meet in Grand Rapids, Michigan and vote on overtures that include: 1) Whether to enable each classis*—the body that … Continue reading Will Your Church Be Inclusive?
Spring can’t decide snow rain sun Snow today Wind can’t decide which way to blow today west east swirl catch One thing the snow knows without a doubt Down Continue reading Knowing
Fallen seed hidden not taken. Moistened overtaken broken. Awakened called out to outgrow its death fill its latent shape push and seek the light bathe breathe earth’s air enfold time into its fiber defying gravity. Smooth shell greying crusting itself into wizened story. Green hands receive radiant life reshaping taking shape pushing up to reach for more of itself. Divine seed fallen into … Continue reading Eucharist
Unhurried morning stepping out our door coffee warming surf pounding eyes trained on the horizon anticipating surprise of spout breach delight whales tasting air reminding themselves that they dwell in the deeps Unearthly noise breaks the mood MISSILE INBOUND TAKE SHELTER Disbelief Confusion Disturbance breaking the surface Malevolence invading questioning the balance reaching its dark finger to strum the cord between human and human Unexpectedly … Continue reading Oahu, January 13
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and … Continue reading The Last–and First–Word
saint sinner seeker 