Too often, we simply don’t stop to ask questions, to examine our lives. We do things without thinking about the consequences or implications. We do it because we always have. We do it because everyone else is. We do it because it seems like the best option in the moment. And we do it in ministry,…
The Body of Christ
we are the church
Untitled
When I was in high school, my youth group went on an international mission trip to Peru. Forty youth plus chaperones set out from Cedar Rapids determined to make a difference in the lives of other people. We even made t-shirts. I remember the night that we came up with the slogan for the back…
Hungry?
Yesterday, I preached on Jesus and the fig tree. It is such a strange pericope (aka story). Both Matthew and Mark tell us (Matthew 21 and Mark 11) that Jesus was walking along, sees a fig tree, doesn’t find fruit, curses the tree and wham-o, it dies. What?!?! There is a broader point to the story,…
Competing Goals
One of my goals for this renewal leave was to cook more meals in the evening for myself and my husband. It is something I love to do, and I use about two more pots or utensils than I need and make a lovely delicious mess every time. But I love to cook. I love…
Manipulate or appreciate?
Henri Nouwen writes: It is impressive to see how prayer opens one’s eyes to nature. Prayer makes men [and women, I’d add] contemplative and attentive. In place of manipulating, he who prays stands receptive before the world. He no longer grabs but caresses, he no longer bites, but kisses, he no longer examines but admires…. Instead of an…
How long?
As I have sat each morning with my daily devotions it is wonderful to be immersed in one psalm for the entire week. What I find is that each day as I read it, a different verse or sentiment speaks to my soul. These past two weeks have included hopeful laments… the cries of the…
Who do you say I am?
I started reading Neil Cole’s Organic Church this morning. I am highlighting like a fool, but one line caused me to stop and pick up my phone to blog: Before one speaks about starting or growing churches, one simply must wrestle with this question: “Who is Jesus to you?” Maybe what struck me so much…
Praying for the Church
One of the practices I have incorporated into my renewal leave is to use Bishop Job’s, A Guide to Prayer, each morning. I have taken to setting up office on our back porch in the cool mornings where I can look out on the garden, feel the cool breeze, and breathe in the air. I…