Praying from the Pit Psalm 139: 17-22* 17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still…
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Psalm 139 on a Wednesday night When I speak to children I speak in a voice that gathers them in Even while they tumble across the carpet Like puppies with clothes They whine and yip and yelp occasionally But when…
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Choosing and Praying a Breath Prayer Praying a breath prayer is just what it sounds like. To pray as you follow your breath – using words – connects the body to the sacred. And praying a breath prayer can open…
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Breathing a Prayer Let everything that has breath praise the Creator. When we lived in Georgia parishioners there introduced us to the amaryllis. Every year a pot with a gigantic bulb would appear on my desk during Advent. By the…
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Christmastide II – It Takes Two Hands
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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