Memories of fun in the past included rollercoaster rides. Those giant metal or wooden edifices roared as the track connected with the train. Hands held high. An unplanned scream. Stomach muscles clenched in a clash between fear and excitement. But today’s rollercoaster comes not from a machine or long lines of customers anticipating the ride […]
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As Covid-19 marches on, how can we stay in hope? Somehow the platitude of “We’re all in this together” sounds hollow. I need something more. This week, I focused on an Old Testament story where the community faced a plague of serpents. The children of Israel grumbled, because they were impatient and tired of the
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As I sat on my front porch, I watched the kids play in the cul-de-sac. One black kid, two whites and three Latinos — two girls, four boys. They squealed with laughter, ran in circles, kidded each other like typical children enjoying a summer night. Far away from the murders of young black men and
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Sometimes prayer comes easy and feels like a special connection with the Divine. The words flow with a spiritual electricity. We believe God has indeed heard us, and something miraculous will happen soon. But other times we struggle to know what to say. The words stick in our throats, and God feels far away. We
Finding Hope When Prayer Lags Read More »
In one week’s time, I heard two men apologize for their tears. “I’m sorry,” they both said. “Give me a minute.” Then they hung their heads, as if afraid to let the rest of us see their breaking moment. They were both on podcasts and couldn’t hear me yelling, “Don’t apologize for your tears. It’s
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Credit for this blog post’s idea goes to Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church. During Lockdown, I discovered his church site and started watching some of his sermons. Most of us have seen blog posts or participated in Zoom meetings about what to do during this Covid-19 crisis. Multiple bulleted lists suggest new recipes, guidelines
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During a trip to Fort Scott, Kansas, my friend Deb and I discovered a wonderful coffee shop. Our chai lattes tasted spicy yet mellow, while the missional atmosphere of the shop impressed us. Bookshelves were filled with classics and some religious fiction. I added my Reverend G books to their collection and promised to bring
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Ever since the patriarch Job lived his troubled life, we have been asking, “Why?” Actually, the question “Why?” was probably asked since the beginning of time. Perhaps Adam halted in his naming of the animals to ask, “Why, God? Why spend so much time on the colorful details of the bluejay, then throw together this
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A recent exercise in our Saturday Sisters group resulted in an a-ha moment. We were given a sheet of paper and asked to list our treasures. This exercise was a different thought process than just listing what we’re grateful for. We all know how to answer several ways to say, “Thank you.” But this was
Hope in the Treasures Read More »
They raise their chartreuse heads above the frosted grass. At first, I am cheered by the bright yellow dots in my yard. “It will soon be time for the garden,” I tell the cat. Her tawny eyes reflect with understanding. But by the time dandelions lose their sunshiny tops and begin to climb higher, then
Hope Delights in Dandelions Read More »