As i look back on my brief life, I’ve seen that I’ve gone through distinct phases, where aspects of my character have formed or faded into the background. This month’s theme is “welcome.” Accepting one’s past and the life that once was is important, but I am more curious about what it means to welcome … Continue reading “Forgetting Who We Were”

Prescribed burning is an ecological tactic to stimulate plant growth through controlled burns that clear debris and dead foliage. The roots remain intact stimulating growth that is fresh, vital, and healthy. In our hymn “Spirit of Life” Carolyn McDade writes one of my favorite lines – “Roots hold me close, wings set me free.” The … Continue reading “Roots in Burning Season”

Scientists have predicted the end times for our earth, if we as people continue to consume resources at the same rate. Our American economy and political system runs on the same principle that has run most human civilizations since the beginning of time – those who have the most military strength or economic power have … Continue reading “Who will Inherit the Earth?”

In approaching the theme this month of strength and renewal, it can be tempting to think that the path to renewal is straight forward – just practice that which renews. The Pulitzer prize winning playwright Ayad Akhtar brings up an inconvenient truth: often before than can be renewal, there must be rupture, a dramatic break … Continue reading “Rupture Before Renewal”

Is prayer a valid creative response the the times we’re living in? I conducted my first worship service as a guest minister in one of our churches, and I did something unknowingly radical – I prayed without apology. Afterwards I received a couple thoughtful and perplexed e-mails which in essence posed the same question: As … Continue reading “The Problem with Prayer”