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…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXXVI
Final Road Trip Pics These pics and captions are my final installment from a family road trip. The last three posts are my version of “six word stories” which are fun to create and allow the picture tell as much…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXXV
Travlin’ Down the Highway . . . As the trip continues, many new ideas and perspectives have emerged along the way in wide open vistas, deep canyons, dark caves and long stretches of highway . . . . Here are…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXXIV
On the road again. . . . This week I’m on the road with my family. To have a little fun tracking through the trip, I’ll be posting six-word stories and pics. I stumbled onto the idea last week, and…
Read MoreSpeaking & Leading
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…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXVII
Heroic Journey Today I ran my second long race. A half marathon. I ran my first in April of this year and wrote about it here. Since my run in April, I’ve continued to train. I was consistent except during…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXII
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 XXI
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 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 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…
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