One cannot successfully know the Lord outside of others. We need others to help us. We do not always feel what we think we ought to feel. God’s grace is so pervasively upon me, but I go throughout my day numb to it, unaware even. I have observed that this is part of the human condition and perhaps one of the saddest and most sinister … Continue reading Lent 5: Community
Today was a good Lenten day. As I explained to each of my churches, as I left the driveway and headed into town for a regular day of church, I felt relief. I was joyous to see people again. And yet it was Lent 1, and I know that I take this seriously. I even enjoy the melodrama of Lent. I knew that the scripture … Continue reading Lenten Sabbath 1
The beauty of creation persevered. At 40-degrees, it was down right balmy. I have learned that I need help, and I learned that more today. I have had a good simple idea for getting the church and the neighborhood kids together. Getting others enthused to help has been the difficulty. Add to that the paralysis of winter and I keep finding myself pieces short of … Continue reading Lent 4: Almost
Well…I started the day in the ditch, and ended up with the nicest, clearest driveway within miles. One of the trips that pastors get caught up in is the popular attitude that what we do is not work. Even my mom jokes me on this. So we try to compensate by taking on tasks that are beyond our capabilities. I am a very good big-picture … Continue reading Lent 3: Turn Around
Day two of Lent’s progress to new life did not go as planned. As alluded to in my Lent 1 post, I began the day trying to help my wife get her car out of the snow, prophesying that if her 4WD was having difficulty getting out of the driveway, then the 2WD with my name on it was even less likely. It’s not like … Continue reading Lent 2: Disrupted
So my first day of Lent 2010 was interesting. I did actually manage to get out of the driveway, which was something unaccomplished on Fat Tuesday. Snow is shaping everything we do and don’t do around here for now. But the day began in a more Easter-ly fashion. M&I went for our now-bi-weekly midwife visit. With a few measurements and not so few questions, we … Continue reading Lent 1: Ashes
(An unfinished draft from December, posted for posterity’s sake.) This has been an odd Advent. It all started around summer. I just got completely backlogged with work due to various special events over the summer. Then the crush of Charge Conference, etc. Add to that the onset of parental anxiety (mine own) and the time has been warping slow and fast for the last 6 … Continue reading Beating the Hum-Bugs
The story of Gabriel and Mary is remarkable. Zechariah and Elizabeth were selected for being “righteous before God.” There is no indication from Luke that Mary was all that good of a person. She was chosen for really mysterious reasons. At best, she was engaged to a man descended from David. That makes it prophetically convenient to choose Mary. Nevertheless, Gabriel certifies that Mary has … Continue reading Page One–Gabriel and Mary
A baby! I think we’re too old. Muted joy! *** Do not be afraid. The Lord appears: gentle, strong. Elijah is first. Continue reading Lectionary Haikus: Luke 1:5-20
I have become really appreciative of United Methodeviations. Dan Dick’s blog usually features some of the best writing in United Methodism. I also appreciate his UM-specific focus. Recently, he told an all-too-familiar story of a young clergyperson leaving ‘the ministry’. She was the kind of pastor the church desperately needs…community focused, passionate, intelligent, committed to quality and articulate. She has since taken on directorship of … Continue reading Wrong Picture Retake
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