Long story, but life has been a little nutty around here.
So, in an effort to make myself feel better, I’ve spent the day thinking about things that would qualify as “good things”, little things, that are happy-making.
This is sort of my cross between Martha Stewart or Oprah’s columns and that song:
When among life’s troubles you [...]
Luke 4:1-13
Fox Valley Presbyterian Church
(Originally Preached on Lent 1C, February 21, 2010)
Temptation is not really a dirty word anymore. Think about it: it’s a word used to brand and identify: chocolates; resorts; a dating service in the UK ; there’s even a men’s deodorant line that has a scent named: “dark temptation”
Think about it: in [...]
Dear ERs everywhere,
First, I am grateful for my ER, my access to medical care, my reliable car, the general goodness of God, etc.
But I’m really really sleep deprived. So this thought is where my brain has been wandering off to.
If parents bring their kiddo in during the night due to, say, an overdose of grape [...]
We had a 3.8 earthquake here last night. When I say “here” I mean a few miles away from where I actually live. And I don’t live in a place where we have earthquakes.
Our bedroom is at/below ground level, with the windows above our bed facing onto a street that gets plowed a lot when [...]
Thursday night to Saturday are my version of the weekend. For me, this means squeezing out every last chance to be the domestic diva.
The tally so far this weekend?
Did a lot of dishes, but then made a whole lot dirty while I was making a pot of soup.
Cut out the fabric for Zora’s long-delayed [...]
Oh, truly a wonderful communion story…
On Sunday, one of our 3 year olds (I’ll call her Claire) was sitting in the second row of pews with her parents. Next to her was one of our church elders, Harrison, who is also a pillar of the congregation in the best sense of the word and one [...]
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may [...]
Snow and advent…
What I am really waiting for, this time of year, is snow.
Today, the snow is here. Dangerous and beautiful. Quiet and white, blowing, refreshing, even astringent.
And how that fits with Advent? I’m not sure.
It might be the quiet stillness, the way it forces us to slow down and take time.
I love it when [...]
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers.”
For the sake of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your good.
(Psalm 122)
Last spring I was researching Seders for [...]
In an effort to jump start the blog, I’m planning to write a post on the daily lectionary every day of advent.
In an effort to make sure this is about a spiritual practice that is about nurturing and not perfection; people-pleasing; work-righteousness; beating-myself-up-if-I-don’t-get-it-right, I’m starting on day 2 of Advent. So, it will be imperfect [...]