Reflecting on the Importance of Poetry in Our Lives
Last Wednesday, many across the country and the world were introduced to Amanda Gorman for the first time when she recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the presidential inauguration. I had previously encountered her poetry online and appreciate her effective...
Being Good Neighbors in 2021
Lately, I’ve been pondering how we connect meaningfully with each other during an isolating pandemic. Yes, we think we see the end in sight, but it’s still a labyrinthine journey. It will be months before many of us get the vaccine, and unfortunately there are too...
Finding Respect for All Our Human Family
As I sit to write this post, so much is still unfolding in regard to the rally-turned-insurrection that took place in America’s capitol building last week. It feels premature to write about it, and irresponsible not to address it in some fashion. So, here are my...
Telling New Stories in the New Year
Happy New Year! On New Year’s Eve, I listened to a couple of different video events marking the occasion. The first included a reflection from Union Seminary President Serene Jones. She spoke in part about the many months of social upheaval across America, and the...
2020 in the Rearview Mirror
The year 2020 is almost over. I can imagine everyone around the world heaving a deep sigh of relief. It’s been a tumultuous year on so many levels. As it draws to a close, I’m reflecting on my own life in this year and drawing out a few themes that have been woven...
Waiting with the Unknown
I imagine you’ve had this experience: You make a plan and then watch it fall apart. That happened to me this week. I had my Advent blog series all planned out. I started with this idea of writing about Jesus’ challenging messages, and posted for two weeks on that....
Celebrating a New Book of Homilies: A Stranger and You Welcomed Me
Last month I shared some reflections on pilgrimage as part of a book launch. Today, I’m doing something similar—and one of my homilies is in today’s book, which I also copyedited! A Stranger and You Welcomed Me is the newest edition in a series entitled Homilists for...
Pondering Jesus’ Situational Ministry
I’ve been writing a lot of daily devotionals this year (for three different denominations!) and delving deeply into the gospel stories as a result. Last week I began an Advent series on how Jesus’ messages are challenging for those who hear and seek to follow him....
Jesus, Challenging Messages, and Closing Out 2020
There’s no question that 2020 has been a tough year. Many great images have encapsulated it, including one I shared around Halloween, humorous new hymns for the seasons, and an image I saw recently on social media (and now have lost—2020?!), of a decorated Christmas...
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