Origin Stories

Maybe [Jesus] felt the pressure of his mom’s faith. Maybe he struggled to trust his dad’s love for him. Maybe he was burdened by the expectation that he was supposed to be the one to bring a word of hope to those who were suffering. Maybe some days he just… Continue reading

Singing Through the Alphabet

Car trip games are a necessity with 5 kids and no electronics, I suppose. We spent lots of time in the car growing up; and before the days of Walkmans and Game Boys, my parents had to find ways to keep our fidgeting and poking at one another to a… Continue reading

The Set-apart-ness of stuff and people

Reading Exodus 30-32 is interesting.  Specifically the contrast between Ex. 30-31 and Ex. 32 is intriguing.  Ex. 30-31 (and maybe the chapter/s before) are all about setting apart STUFF and PEOPLE as holy and consecrated. The stuff the priests wore was consecrated and holy.  The oil used for anointing was… Continue reading

Two extremes of self-interest

“This passion empties one of self.  One does not “self-empty” by focusing upon oneself.  One is emptied of self to the degree one is overcome by the needs, pain, hopes and desires of others.  When concern for others takes one utterly beyond self-interest, beyond obsession with achievements and self-obsessing guilt… Continue reading

As the sun rises…

I’ve discovered a new park from which to watch the sun rise.  I stop at the Starbucks across the street and get a refill of the Veranda Blend coffee, and then head over to the parking lot of the park.  I like this park because there are actually picnic tables… Continue reading