It is the purpose of Lent to take the Christian practitioner to a higher level of commitment to the Lord. I began today speeding my way to the midwives’ office. Inside, we discovered that our baby is going well and is on track to arrive on April 22nd as scheduled. As of tomorrow, that will be exactly 4 weeks away. I left the office and … Continue reading Lent 25: Growth
They say you are what you eat. I am a lot on this particular day. Sticking with the theme, the day began with breakfast: sausage and toast with local honey. I spent most of the morning getting all things together to feed a college team that is volunteering with our local Habitat affiliate. So that meant fixing a pasta salad, going to the deli to … Continue reading Lent 24: Feeding
Lenten day 23 saw me in the car a bunch. Luckily, I like my car. I tend to work a shorter day on Monday, given that Sundays can be so grueling. But today was a day in which one of my churches was providing lunch for one of the college Habitat teams. I am proud to see this little church get all involved and work … Continue reading Lent 23: Parking
So the highlight of this Lenten Sabbath was the end of birthing classes. On Saturday, we gathered and met other expectant couples, one of whom are our friends. We watched some births, which I hadn’t seen since 9th grade. I know they are on TV all the time, but being without cable for over a year, it’s not like I’m flipping channels and catching a … Continue reading Lenten Sabbath 4: Baby, Baby
Dear Mr. Beck, I am writing to challenge you to an hour-long debate on social justice as a Christian concern. As I do not have cable or satellite TV, I do not watch your show and know very little about you. Nevertheless, I did hear about your statement regarding churches that promote social justice. Obviously, since I am challenging you, I hold a different view … Continue reading My Challenge to Glenn Beck
I am really digging this warm weather. I even got out and ran for the 1st time in many, many months. It was nice to stretch the legs. As I warmed up, I could feel the tightness in my calves and my hams. I started into my trot and the fragility of my bones became apparent. I felt pain in my foot and my heart … Continue reading Lent 19: Warmth
It always amazes me just how varied the pastor’s role can be. The morning required pastoral care, the early afternoon required confession, the mid-afternoon required fellowship, the later afternoon required administration, the evening required justice. I think of how various portions of the brain control different aspects of our being. On Lent day 18, I think I used all quadrants. It was not like I … Continue reading Lent 18: Variety Show
Day 17 of the Lenten journey has come and gone. By the time I am writing this, so has days 18 and 19. I cannot remember how day 17 went. I know I spent time at the funeral home and worked hard to be with a family then. I know that my mother-in-law was in town and that I had Italian for dinner. But how … Continue reading Lent 17: Lost
Sunday #3 of the Lenten journey was all over the road. It began early as I had some preliminary arrangements to make at church #2. As M. was getting dressed, I was in the car on my way. I had studied the lectionary text for the week quite well and learned a lot on the way. To use the old evangelical term, I had been … Continue reading Lenten Sabbath 3: Overload
Today’s Lenten lesson was on the charade of control. It’s not like I had much of a plan. But even then, I found myself having to do something other than expected. Most of those circumstances were good. It is good to take note of how little control we can have, at times. It is good to know that the earth’s existence does not rely on … Continue reading Lent 16: Out of Hand
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