Since marrying almost 11 years ago, I have entered the realm of another family’s traditions. It’s nothing new. Ever since Cain met that girl from somewhere else, family traditions have always come and gone and evolved. As a child, I never thought much of the traditions of my family. They seemed plain and were less taught than assumed. During holy seasons, you went home, gathered … Continue reading Tradition as a Spiritual Foundation
In thinking about how to live in Trump’s America, I am thinking through moral foundations that will guide subsequent actions and stances. What are the spiritual nonnegotiable bases for how to live. The 3 foundations I have identified, based on my spiritual and religious upbringing, are love, truth and grace (coming January 16). The Foundation of Truth Burnt Fingers and Too Many M&Ms Truth is … Continue reading Moral Foundations for Living in Trump’s America (Part 2 of 3)
On January 6, the second-most important day in the Christian calendar was celebrated. Did you have an Epiphany celebration on Friday? Epiphany rightfully belongs in the upper tier of Christian holy days. It is as important as Christmas day. And western Christianity has lost something in forgetting the Epiphany. Epiphany predates Christmas. It commemorates the ways Jesus is ‘revealed’ or manifested among us…meaning when we … Continue reading A Sermon on Epiphany
Baby Prayers I was a crier as a child. I screamed my head off every time I left the house. Santa Claus was scary. The grocery store was scary. It was all just scary. I cried almost daily in 3rd grade, because I had skipped a grade and lost all my friends. At that same time, I began losing my eyesight which is scary but … Continue reading What My Introversion Has Taught Me About Prayer
With the impending inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America, I feel the urgency of my faith like never before. By ‘the urgency of my faith’ I mean its usefulness in guiding who I will be and how I will act now that Mr. Trump will rule the land. I think I would still be alarmed by Mr. Trump without … Continue reading Moral Foundations for Living in Trump’s America (Part 1 of 3)
Hatred of Trump is spiritual death #1. I must confess this sin, repent from it, and seek to love this enemy until he is an enemy no more. Trump is just as I am. Strangely and wonderfully made. Created in God’s own image. Prone to going astray. Fallen well-short of the glory of God. But it is false to say we are fully the same. … Continue reading Transcend This
then you shall say to your children, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. I’m thinking of this line in Deuteronomy. God’s people are regularly reminded that they were once slaves in Egypt. This reality is encoded in their law and enshrouded in their holidays. The reality of slavery even informed Jews of their inhumane … Continue reading What Christians and Americans can Learn from Judaism
At 5:30am our beloved kitty Daisy let out an odd growl/yelp. I initially thought she had caught a rodent or something, though that is completely against her character. When I found her in the closet she was toppled over against the wall. I eased her into a more comfortable position and with a few gasps, she died. She was 10 years old. She was a lovely … Continue reading Daisy
This past Sunday, as part of a service to help people process the election, I asked people to share ‘what they were hoping for when they voted’. I aked them to share these hopes by writing them down. I asked people to NOT tell me who they voted for. I encouraged their anonymity. Here is what they said: Policy to remember the less fortunate. Kind … Continue reading Why People Voted
Growing up, my parents got involved in Mercer County Youth Soccer League. My mom coached my brother. My dad coached me. My mom also became a league official and then a referee. I remember her studying the rule book and being really proud of herself for passing the physical exam. She mostly refereed under-8 league games. She was really good at teaching the rules and … Continue reading My Election Sermon
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