Living in the Midst
I’m straying a bit from my usual content today. I suppose we’re all straying a bit from our usual content! Here’s a story from an experience I had many years ago. I trust you’ll see the connections to our current situation. Much of what we're experiencing now feels familiar. It’s only an election In 2007 I… Continue reading This Feels Familiar
This morning I was on the way to the dentist when I had to merge onto the interstate. In order to get to the on ramp though, I had to cross three lanes of traffic and then merge onto the interstate. As I was driving, it’s like I was watching all of this happen from… Continue reading When I Really Think About It…
Last fall I was listening to Rob Bell’s podcast in which he was having a conversation with the author of a memoir – one I probably never would have heard of had it not been for this conversation. I suspect the author got a spike in sales thanks to Rob! The author: Caleb Wilde. The… Continue reading Death is Part of It
For those following along, you know I love tulips. So much so, that I planted a lot of bulbs during my sabbatical in the fall of 2016. Last year very few came up and I attributed that to the strange weather we had that winter. I was outside cleaning flowerbeds in January. That is not… Continue reading Layers of Fear
Last week I facilitated a workshop on behalf of my institution all on my own. And, I didn’t die. Let me back up. I have no problem speaking in front of people. Public speaking is a top fear for much of humanity, but it’s not been something I struggle with. I can speak in front… Continue reading I Didn’t Die
If you read many of my blogs, you know I’m a Rob Bell fan. His latest podcast did not disappoint. In fact, it gave language to what I’ve been wrestling with over the past year or so. The reference to this quote is not familiar to me – I know of Chariots of Fire, but… Continue reading We are the Committee
Some hashtags are funny. Some are useful. But, some are just a phrase to hide behind. I’m so tired of the hashtags, the need for them – they are becoming hollow and trite. #prayforVegas #prayforOrlando #prayforParis When will they stop? When will the need for another hashtag end? The thing about hashtags…they sterilize the event.… Continue reading Hashtags
I have so much to process from the last seven days. It’s possible I’ll go on another mission trip with Appalachia Service Project and North UMC someday, but for now this was my last trip. My 9th ASP. I think my 18th or 19th weeklong youth ministry trip. It was a big week for me… Continue reading Bridges
Being a youth minister for the past thirteen years, I’ve done a lot of high ropes courses. I’ve watched young people overcome their fears and achieve goals they never thought they’d reach. There’s just something about a high ropes course that brings out the cheerleader in me – well, it doesn’t take much to bring… Continue reading Edge
When I met with my therapist yesterday we talked a little bit about my dreams. After sharing a few with her, I realized that perhaps my dream life was a bit unusual, maybe more active than most? I don’t know. You tell me… I remember a lot of my dreams – many times because they… Continue reading Dreams