lenten journal
We’ve got tickets for an online concert and conversation between Lyle Lovett and Vince Gill tonight. We had seen him at least once every year of our marriage until the pandemic killed live music. to be in the room it was early February long ago a first date in
lenten journal
In my reading this week, I came across these words: If we’re not to lose heart in the aftermath of failures, we must take care how we tell our stories. -- (Lawrence Weinstein, Grammar for a Full Life: How the Ways We Shape a Sentence Can Limit or Enlarge
lenten journal
“. . . and I was persuaded, and remain confirmed, that the voice of honest indignation is the voice of God.” --William Blake anger management when it comes to indignation I’ve mostly seen the righteous kind --moral outrage--then today I heard a new phrase, at least to me, though Blake said it
lenten journal
Lila she got a special walk around the green this morning she didn’t know why anymore than she understood that breakfast never came just a car ride to her least favorite parking lot where I handed her over to a kind tech who spoke sweetly and led her away
lenten journal
sentenced picture yourself as a word in a sentence that runs on for miles one that falls between before and after picture the moment when the reader spoke you into being in a phrase of relationship your whole life a word made flesh picture yourself as a word among words
lenten journal
worth saying I read the screen or the page I listen to the other ones talking as though everyone is waiting for what I will have to say as if what matters is how I respond why would that be true? social media creates the illusion that life is a
lenten journal
In October, I started a bridge pastorate at a church in the town next to us because the pastor had to take family medical leave. I started posting the sermons and songs here as well. Next Sunday will be my last Sunday at the church and we are going to
lenten journal
spiritual practice start with a goal make a promise to show up then miss the next day start with failure then deal with grace you will not write everyday this lent easter will come good friday too the season does not ride on you faithfulness and perfection are not the
lenten journal
One of the ripples of the pandemic has been that we have gone through a lot more firewood than usual at our house, thanks to both the fire place and the fire pit on our patio, though the latter is filled with snow right now. We bought a cord of
sermon
The lectionary text for the Sunday after the insurrection at the Capitol was the account of Jesus’ baptism. The events of the week took my sermon in a different direction. As I prepared to preach this last Sunday before Lent begins, the notes I had made popped back in my
sermon
This week’s sermon is a response to my reading not only Mark 1:29-39 but continuing to consider all of the first chapter as well as holding the questions I find there. The song that follows is a favorite hymn: “Come, Ye Disconsolate” by Samuel Webbe. _______________________ If I were
sermon
This week’s sermon takes its title from one of my favorite Guy Clark songs, “Come from the Heart,” which I sing as well. The church where I have been interim has some momentous decisions in the weeks and months to come, so the sermon takes a turn towards them