We Need a Christians-Only Internet

We could digitize and codify baptismal records. That way, only certified Christians can use this ‘Christians-only’ internet. We can establish standards for when someone backslides…kind of like points on your driver’s license. Accumulate enough points and one has to exit the ‘online universal church’ and perform penance to be allowed back in. We can anoint online priests to hear confessions and pronounce absolution for said … Continue reading We Need a Christians-Only Internet

cegr76March 22, 20111 Comment

Sonnets

Lenten Sonnet

Give up your meat, give up your right to win. Take on the shame, behold your righteous rags. While stepping in the foot-tracks of your sin, The stony weight upon your back now sags. With shoulders slumped the pathway rises on While skeletons of yesteryear appear And chatter with their mercies well withdrawn The incline rises ever more severe. Lift up thine eyes, a Savior … Continue reading Lenten Sonnet

cegr76March 20, 2011Leave a comment

Haikus

(Not-So) Lectionary Haikus

On the heap of fish Challenged to follow Jesus Simon drops his nets Ev’rything to follow Jesus Ev’rything A maturing Lent means less fun and more struggle- Ah! The good ol’ days Let go of fear. Let go of the net. Let go of business-as-usual. Let go of apathy, cynicism, sloth and lust. Let go of war-as-an-answer. Let go of ‘we can’t afford that’. … Continue reading (Not-So) Lectionary Haikus

cegr76March 19, 2011Leave a comment

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Reading for Lent

Lent has turned into a time of reading. I know many pastors are avid readers…I’m not. I’m slow, tedious and hard to please. I have started many-a-book that I never finished, including books I was enjoying. My favorite book of all time, A Prayer for Owen Meany, I began 3 times before completing. I guess I have a shorter attention span and/or I crave immediacy, … Continue reading Reading for Lent

cegr76March 16, 20111 Comment

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The Second Day of Lent

Rain. Gray. Rivers rising. Mud everywhere. Vitamin-D low. Worries high. A typical Thursday. Samuel–Son of Hannah, Man of God Samuel is God’s reward to Hannah for her prayers. Then she gives him up to the Temple. Before taking him to the Temple, Hannah has time one-on-one with Samuel, her first son, evidence that God heard her prayer. She retains him in the home until he … Continue reading The Second Day of Lent

cegr76March 10, 2011Leave a comment

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The First Day of Lent

First Ashes I spent most of the day bah-humbugging the onset of Lent. It’s rainy and gray and muddy and I want to ride my new bike. In preparing for Ash Wednesday, I recalled doing Lent in college and how it was a delight to fast, spend time alone with God and to work out my faith. It made for a useful sermon analogy. I … Continue reading The First Day of Lent

cegr76March 9, 2011Leave a comment

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Levity for Lent

Lent is here. Blah, blah, blah. Lent always screws with my need for other things. As spring is getting sprung, all I want to do is burn my winter coat and lay in the grass. I want to take 4 days off work and watch basketball in my underwear. I want to go to Daytona Beach, which I never did in college. I just don’t … Continue reading Levity for Lent

cegr76March 7, 2011Leave a comment

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Lent 2011

Wednesday will get here irregardless of my level of preparedness. Lent is my favorite liturgical season, perhaps because it coincides with my favorite season season: Spring. Lent plays into my natural penchant for taking my own righteousness too seriously. The springing of Spring is a natural counter-balance–helping me to lighten up. Moreover, Lent always sets me up for an additional level of sinning. I used … Continue reading Lent 2011

cegr76March 6, 20111 Comment

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On Praying and Tears

Studying Richard Foster’s Prayer with my church, I was unexpectedly haunted by the chapter on Praying with Tears. I was a frequent crier as a child. There is a legend in my upbringing of me throwing a temper tantrum in the grocery store. My dad took me to the car, while Mom and brother continued shopping. M. was an angel. It was pouring rain (I’m … Continue reading On Praying and Tears

cegr76February 26, 2011Leave a comment

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BOOM: Offering myself without reserve

Do you offer yourself without reserve to be appointed and to serve as the authoritative authority may determine? Have I attained perfection already? Have I completely conquered all matter of fear? Do I have complete and perfect trust in the Cabinet? Do I completely give over to other fallible humanoids the responsibility to determine how and where I will live out God’s calling in my … Continue reading BOOM: Offering myself without reserve

cegr76February 22, 20112 Comments