It Takes Two Hands In our extended families we stretch out Christmas for several days. And we try to keep our family meals and gift exchanges to one-per-day. Christmas 2011 is in the books now. It was enjoyable for the…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXXVII
Formation Each twist back and forth down the path takes us deeper into the dark earth. “Momma, hold my hand.” I reach for her small hand. And we step carefully down the paved trail. As the light disappears behind us…
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Upcoming Engagements April 1, 2016 Scholastica Luncheon for Women in Ministry Report from the Thailand Pilgrimage Scarritt-Bennett Center Nashville, Tennessee 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Register Here April 7, 2016 Festival of Young (Women) Preachers Sponsored by the Alliance…
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Rant on binge writing “I do not like it, Sam I am!” I’m with Dr. Seuss on this one. I do not like binge writing – that is excessive and obsessive writing for long stretches of time that robs one…
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autumn* falling leaves falling leaves me wondering . . . falling. leaves me wondering why? falling leaves me wondering: why are we so alone? falling leaves me wondering why we are so alone or if we are indeed surrounded by…
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Contemplaying Yes. I just made up a new word. Wrote it by accident last week. I’ve decided it’s a keeper. I was trying to write contemplating, as you might imagine, and my fingers tapped out contemplaying instead.* Lovely! Think of…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXV
Walking in Circles I found myself with an unexpected opportunity to walk a labyrinth today. I’ve been to NaCoMe before, yet somehow I had missed the labyrinth. Dappled in light and shadows, the circular path is marked by rocks and…
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First Tooth The day my daughter turned five she told us she had a loose tooth. My husband panicked. Well, slightly. First because things about teeth gross him out. Secondly, he admitted a few days later that it was also…
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…
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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.’…
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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…
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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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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…
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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 MoreEaster XII
Take and Eat For a second year we are gardening on a grand scale. Well, to be honest, my husband is gardening on a grand scale and I’m supportive and help when I can. He and my daughter and a…
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A Brief History of Reading Part I (mine, not everyone else’s) Although it is tempting tonight to try and be clever about today’s failed prediction of the rapture, I’ll resist. Most of my friends on fb – and the rest of…
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Keeping Watch in Silence This is the song that has been playing in my mind all day: Thistle and Weeds by Mumford and Sons. It begins in despair. The images of the homegrown video are evocative in their own way,…
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Show and Tell For the last six weeks, since Ash Wednesday, I’ve been slowly working out at the far reaches of my own competence, for the sake of learning something new. For the sake of trying a new practice and…
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