The longer I watch him the more I wonder whether the Cross of Jesus was not the only moment our saving happened, as if such cruelty could solve an inevitable, deadly equation. Perhaps it was only the penultimate moment to resurrection’s triumph— though unheralded, un-choired— the sealing of love’s new first word. But even then it would be hollow without all those other interruptions: the … Continue reading The Time It Takes
“Family reunion.” Most people have a reaction to the phrase, good or bad. For us, it is very good. Every other year my five siblings and I—the Janssen clan—gather from the East coast and the Midwest for several days of catching up and simply enjoying each other’s company. We make connections from time to time in between, but this is our traditional touch point, highly … Continue reading I Wish You This
In July my husband and I took a side trip to Philadelphia and Gettysburg before meeting my family in North Carolina for our biennial reunion. He has enjoyed reading about the Civil War, so we were excited to have the chance to stay in Gettysburg itself (right next to the house where Abraham Lincoln polished his famous address!). We hired a personal guide who took … Continue reading Gettysburg
This article first appeared in the Spencer Daily Reporter, July 20, 2018. A popular TV show in the wasteland of summer options is America’s Got Talent, a.k.a. “AGT.” Last week the Angel City Chorale appeared on the show. 160 members strong, the choir is led by Sue Fink. When Simon Cowell asked her what the choir is about, she replied, “I want to bring together … Continue reading Thank You, Simon Cowell
I look out at the non-air-conditioned unvacuumed, untidied backyard and see life teeming every leaf unfurled from a bud two months ago goldfinches hatched from eggs. My cat sleeps on his tail-cushion. He was a kitten once and I was an embryo before that. The rug under my feet came from seeds fibers woven by some hands that once rested on mothers’ breasts Native life … Continue reading July Morning
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…”
saint sinner seeker 