A Forgotten Love Note from My Son
Every now and then our children surprise and honor us as parents. This is the story of one such moment, when I found a forgotten love note from my adult son. Continue reading A Forgotten Love Note from My Son
Category: Reflections
Here on Turtle Island, the Holy Spirit Is a Coyote
Our North Shore theologian Zoomed in from the edge of the wilderness on Wednesday night. She told us with an eye-twinkle, that she had located the Holy Spirit shape-shifting among the world’s tricksters, drawn from the world’s memories. Moving in the borderlands mostly out of view, knowing your moves in the second before you do and playing with mischief. Here on turtle island, the Holy Spirit is a coyote. Continue reading Here on Turtle Island, the Holy Spirit Is a Coyote
Unclaimed Baggage
All of us carry a great deal of unclaimed baggage around with us every day—wounds inflicted on us from childhood or failed relationships, wounds we have inflicted on our children or spouses, sins and failures of which we are ashamed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could dump all of that baggage at some airport terminal and leave it there? Continue reading Unclaimed Baggage
Giving a Blessing
What happens when a pastor offers a benediction. According to Numbers 6 to bless someone is to “put the name of God” upon them.
There is something beautiful and intimate in this image. When a benediction is spoken it is as though God bends down and tenderly kisses us on the forehead. Continue reading Giving a Blessing
The Word of the Lord Endures Forever; the Preacher’s Words … Not So Much
As a general rule, I do not believe that one memorable sermon ever changes someone’s life. Rather it is the faithful preaching of the Word over the course of years that shapes and molds us Continue reading The Word of the Lord Endures Forever; the Preacher’s Words … Not So Much
Fly! Molly, Fly!
At 1:00 when remote learning comes to an end, I can hear the children loudly bidding each other goodbye. The sound reminds me of a flock of geese preparing to take off. Continue reading Fly! Molly, Fly!
Love on a Backyard Swing
You can never comprehend your parents love, until you have children of your own. Continue reading Love on a Backyard Swing
Two Births at Christmas
My daughter was born two days before Christmas. Oddly the delivery room overlooked a cemetery, which seemed very inappropriate.
But the more I thought about it, the more it took on a deeper meaning. Since it was just two days before Christmas, there was an odd juxtaposition of the birth of my daughter, the birth of Jesus and the reminder of death. They were all woven together to create a beautiful cloth full of meaning. Continue reading Two Births at Christmas
Under the Gourd Vine
The open question at the end of the book is “Will Jonah actually change?” The book doesn’t tie things up in a nice tidy bow, but leaves things hanging with a question that must be answered by both Jonah and also ourselves. God asks us, “And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” Continue reading Under the Gourd Vine
The Gift of Forgiveness
“To be forgiven is only half the gift. The other half is that we also can forgive, restore and liberate.” Marilynne Robinson Continue reading The Gift of Forgiveness
