This was originally written for the Spencer Daily Reporter in their Friday, November 25, 2016 edition. Are you a good listener? Think of a recent conversation that had some substance to it. Did you interrupt the other person? Were you preoccupied with waiting for them to finish so you could say what you wanted to say? Then you probably have some work to do on … Continue reading The Gift of Listening
This post was originally written for The Luke Society‘s blog, anticipating a global audience of their Christian ministry directors doing medicine among the poorest of the poor in their countries. We experienced something remarkable in the United States last week. There was deep disagreement about which of the candidates should be allowed to take the presidential helm for four years. Much anxiety led up … Continue reading What Flows Through
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus] said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” (Luke 21:5-6) “Isn’t it perfect? I wish it could always stay this way.” How many times have you felt that, … Continue reading Terror and Promise
It is more than being thankful as our mothers taught us. Henri Nouwen says it well: “Gratitude is not a simple emotion or an obvious attitude.” Read the entire quote on today’s Daily Dig from Plough Publishing: http://www.plough.com/en/subscriptions/daily-dig/even/october/daily-dig-for-october-29 I have only begun to appreciate the riches of maintaining a grateful stance. As Nouwen says, it is a difficult discipline, but it is one of the … Continue reading On Gratitude
If you love autumn and want to enjoy the loveliness of blazing colors, to settle into the coziness of coming in from the chill of the outdoors, feel content with life, then don’t open your Facebook account. If your feed is like mine, it is filled with some version of fear, despair, or anger. All three probably appear in the same post from one friend … Continue reading You and Francis Give Me Hope
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.” (2 Timothy 1:5) Her name was Cora. She was a Midwestern preacher’s wife in the early twentieth century. She raised five children with stern discipline and a strong faith. Yet she also performed her myriad household duties … Continue reading Just as Grandma Would Do
What do we want for our children? If you are a person of faith, my guess is that you want your child/teen/adult offspring to have faith in God. Right? And you probably also value the wisdom and teachings of the Bible. So, when Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me,” (Matthew 19:14) we are warmed by the image of his open, welcoming arms. “Let” … Continue reading What Does Busy-ness Do to Our Kids?
In honor of her canonization by the Roman Catholic Church, I am re-posting this because it includes the wisdom of Saint Theresa of Kolkata. Words matter. I realized this early on, so that when I was still in elementary school, if somebody asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was “a poet.” I can’t say I have actually developed … Continue reading Second Person Singular
I was staying in my hometown for a two-day retreat, and decided to do what we often do when we go home: visit the place. There is a wildlife sanctuary called Union Slough near the little town of Titonka. I had never explored it when it was only a few miles from the acreage where my father served a country church. With an afternoon of … Continue reading Sanctuaries
August is worth looking forward to every year, if only for the fresh tomatoes. I grow a couple of plants in my garden, but I have to go to the farmer’s market if I want to get enough to make a marinara sauce. At least I can harvest enough of those beauties to feed my most recent summer addiction: bacon/basil/tomato sandwiches. Someone put me onto … Continue reading Relax. Have a Tomato.
saint sinner seeker 