Esperanza* Hope in Spanish. This young prodigy of a bass player and vocalist, Esperanza Spalding entered my horizon almost a year ago. Two friends mentioned her at nearly the same time. I started looking around for what she was singing…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XX
So Noted My first conscious memory of note-writing comes from the elementary school. The teacher gave us lined paper. We had to learn the parts of a letter and fill in all out completely. Date. Name and address. Salutation. Body.…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XIX
Slowing Down* Tuesday Morning – I’m out for a run in the neighborhood around the seminary. The day dawns clear and pleasant. I check my watch and calculate. I’ve got 30 minutes before I have to be back and showering…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XVIII
A pastor I watched and learned from . . . In my kind of work you can’t really help but know a lot of pastors. And I feel gratitude, love and respect for most all the ones I know. They…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XVII
Everyday Practical Theologians When I started this series, I didn’t know I was starting a series. I was responding to a request for advice to young women leaning into a call to ministry. The request was specifically for ‘practical advice.’…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XVI
Forgiveness Tonight I’m feeling the satisfaction of a full and good day. It held prayer and writing, running and planning, silence and conversation. I’m at St. John’s for a few days to work on an academic writing project. The setting…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XV
Friends Finding a friend who is a really good listener is one of the best gifts life can offer. Making a circle of friends who can listen with each other into the deep places is still more. This afternoon I…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XIV
Taking the Path of Prayer In all my time at seminary I don’t recall anyone saying to me, “To learn how to be a minister, you should pray.” Nor do I recall anyone saying, “You will need to attend to…
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Ordinary Time XIII – Practicing Generosity
Practicing Generosity* When I lead retreats about simplicity, solitude, and Sabbath I usually do an exercise like this. I ask those in attendance to help me make two lists. We start with the American Dream. What does that make you…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XII
Public Image Tonight, and for the next few posts, I’m continuing to unpack an earlier list of advice for those considering ministry. As already noted, proverbs or lists of advice have their place (for example in scripture), but also reduce…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XI
Unpacking Tonight amid packing for a brief trip, I also want to do a little unpacking. Wednesday’s blog post was a list of advice. As I noted, I usually avoid that format. Proverbs and pithy advice have their place. For…
Read MoreOrdinary Time X
Practical tips for young women (and others) exploring a call to ministry I’m not asked outright for advice every day. And generally even when I am, I try to blink a few times before giving any. But this week I…
Read MoreOrdinary Time VIII
Before and After I’ve always loved before and after pictures: * home improvement * haircuts * weightloss * whatever They intrigue me. How does change happen? Sometimes it only takes a pair of clippers and an hour of sweat…
Read MoreOrdinary Time VII
Shamanic Running pounding down the hill and toward the river it draws me down every time morning air swelters around me I try to find the rhythm in my stride, my breath grateful for every remaining patch of shade along…
Read MoreOrdinary Time VI
“Plant your hope with good seed . . .” Listen to Mumford & Sons: Thistle and Weeds Read this week’s Gospel Lesson: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Read MoreOrdinary Time V
Essential Rest I can’t think of a better time to write about rest. I’m just coming off nearly three weeks of travel. It became longer than planned because of a death in our family. My husband’s grandfather died this week, and…
Read MoreOrdinary Time IV
Northwest Chapel of the Cross on the campus of Luther Seminary St. Paul, Minnesota Where I will be preaching on Friday.
Read MoreOrdinary Time III
In the Middle of the Story Ever find yourself in the middle of a story unsure of how it will all turn out? That’s where I am right about now. I’m in the middle of several stories, and I don’t…
Read MoreOrdinary Time II
Summer Solstice Daisies at St. John’s University and Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota During the remainder of June and July, blog posts on Wednesdays will feature pictures worth a thousand words. Without the thousand words. Saturdays will remain more reflective with…
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“Nashville in February” Mumford and Sons put on an amazing concert in Denver this week. I was there to feel the pounding drums, join the crowd in singing through most of their current album, and revel in the convergence of…
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