lenten journal
”What About Me?” Mark 5:21-43 A Sermon for First Congregational Church of Guilford UCC February 28, 2016 Let me begin this morning by saying you’re going to hear a story you’ve heard before. In fact, you’re going to hear one you heard just a couple of
lenten journal
From time to time, as I read an author’s work, my connection with the writer moves beyond the page to a more personal connection. They become my friend—an odd use of the word, I suppose, having never met them—because of the resonance I feel. Reading their books
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⋅I have been working on a sermon for this coming Sunday. I get to preach at our church for the first time. My text is Matthew 5:21-43 that contains the story of Jesus’ healing of the woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years, which is sandwiched between the account
lenten journal
Today has been a day of missing for me. I began by posting this picture of my mother’s recipe box, which now resides here in Guilford. She has stayed on my mind ever since. My brother and sister-in-law left today for Cambodia , which they have done before, but somehow
lenten journal
Our church has a gathering each Wednesday night during Lent and they asked me to prepare the meals. I spent the day working on soups and bread and dessert for sixty and, after sitting here at the computer for some time now trying to keep my promise, I have found
lenten journal
weather report yes, there’s a certain sadness in the tears of a late night rain, the showers of memories, now caught in tiny sidewalk ponds— and I’m stepping around them, wishing you would call to say you saw the storm on the news, them ask about the weather
lenten journal
When I asked for words to ponder during Lent, one friend offered two: soul music. As I started thinking about it, I began to think of songs, though not necessarily Motown. I began to think of songs that have spoken to me in recent times--some old, some new. Tonight, then,
lenten journal
For all of my life in church I have noticed that Jesus’ basic formula for the parables was to begin with, “A certain man had two sons . . . ‘“ and, almost inevitably, the story had to do with how the brothers responded differently, and, on occasion, how they responded to each other.
lenten journal
I spent the better part of yesterday and all of this morning cooking with friends in order to serve lunch for Stigma and Mercy: Prison Re-Entry and Restorative Justice Conference, which was held at our church today. One hundred and fifty people showed up to talk about how we help
lenten journal
Yes, I know it's two words tonight, but they go together like one. Bear with me. There are times in life where nothing happens other than daily life and yet it feels somehow crucial and important. These are those days for me. My days have been full of
lenten journal
One of the realities—and wonders—of American life is Lent and Spring Training move side by side on the calendar. Red Sox fans observe Truck Day, which marks the trucks leaving Fenway Park with all the Spring Training equipment. This year it fell on Ash Wednesday, so I have
lenten journal
When I was crowdsourcing words for my Lenten practice, my friend David sent, “homemade (pimento cheese).” I’ve been thinking about them ever since. turn the gas burner on high and lay the peppers on the flame till they blister and turn black; put them in a bowl, cover it