This can be a crazy life, this call.
I keep phones by the bed when I sleep.
My calendar is always with me.
The only time I am truly on vacation is when I am out of the country...
However, I can be home
put my feet up
sip iced tea
and work while the sweet summer breeze blows through the house...
Today-
that is all the compromise I need.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Industry: Religion
Most of the time I love free books.
I mean, I love books, I love bookstores, I love discount books, I love borrowed books- so why wouldn't I love free books?
Well, when the free books have general titles like:
Guilty Yet?: Christian Martyrs who died for your wretched soul in full and detailed color
or
Consume More: Don't listen to accredited scientist, but ours that are funded by oil companies
or
The Antichrist is revealed: why you should be afraid of anyone who isn't white or your brand of Christian
and especially when they tell me that 300,000 copies are in circulation. Ummm... that's cause you and the oil companies are sending them out for free.
Well, I suppose the best irony is when I pull off the covers and recycle those crazy tomes -
'sides, I have precious little bookshelf space to waste!
I mean, I love books, I love bookstores, I love discount books, I love borrowed books- so why wouldn't I love free books?
Well, when the free books have general titles like:
Guilty Yet?: Christian Martyrs who died for your wretched soul in full and detailed color
or
Consume More: Don't listen to accredited scientist, but ours that are funded by oil companies
or
The Antichrist is revealed: why you should be afraid of anyone who isn't white or your brand of Christian
and especially when they tell me that 300,000 copies are in circulation. Ummm... that's cause you and the oil companies are sending them out for free.
Well, I suppose the best irony is when I pull off the covers and recycle those crazy tomes -
'sides, I have precious little bookshelf space to waste!
Monday, April 20, 2009
You know you live in a small town when...
Community Education at the school holds concurrent classes of yoga and firearm safety.
Holy Grouds: the silence of winter
Winter is such a difficult time for me.
While I am not really silenced, it seems all my creative energies are focused on work, trying to say healthy, and focusing all my creative energies into living.
Spring is coming, and when the weather is better, it seems to lift so much of the weight of living off of my shoulders.
The silence of winter is a holy time and place, but I am ready for the noise of spring.
While I am not really silenced, it seems all my creative energies are focused on work, trying to say healthy, and focusing all my creative energies into living.
Spring is coming, and when the weather is better, it seems to lift so much of the weight of living off of my shoulders.
The silence of winter is a holy time and place, but I am ready for the noise of spring.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Holy Grounds: Baking Bread
What is it about a quiet, uneventful week that makes me uneasy?
When there are few meetings and only a couple of visits, I feel the pressure I put on myself growing to do more, to meet more, to visit more, to be more.
I've never been a very good manager of time. In fact I have three different books that hold my ministry together: a bible, a calendar, and a composition book with my weekly 'to-do' notes.
Through these three the job of pastor actually seems to happen. Without them, very little does.
It's frustrating to be so absent minded. My life is so full that I cannot keep thoughts in my head for simple tasks longer than a moment... which is why I type this, waiting for the bread to bake, that I forgot on the counter, that rose longer than it should, hoping, praying for a presentable loaf to gift tomorrow.
Is this extra time stolen? Perhaps, I am sleepy and ready to crawl into my warm bead.
or
Is it a gift? Perhaps, falling asleep to the scent of fresh bread promises delicious dreams, doesn't it...
When there are few meetings and only a couple of visits, I feel the pressure I put on myself growing to do more, to meet more, to visit more, to be more.
I've never been a very good manager of time. In fact I have three different books that hold my ministry together: a bible, a calendar, and a composition book with my weekly 'to-do' notes.
Through these three the job of pastor actually seems to happen. Without them, very little does.
It's frustrating to be so absent minded. My life is so full that I cannot keep thoughts in my head for simple tasks longer than a moment... which is why I type this, waiting for the bread to bake, that I forgot on the counter, that rose longer than it should, hoping, praying for a presentable loaf to gift tomorrow.
Is this extra time stolen? Perhaps, I am sleepy and ready to crawl into my warm bead.
or
Is it a gift? Perhaps, falling asleep to the scent of fresh bread promises delicious dreams, doesn't it...
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Holy Grounds: winter flurries
It has been quite a while since I posted- thank you to those who still hold out hope that I may make an appearance in this blogging world!
It has been over a month and the initial joy at the election result has been overshadowed by much loss and grief in this little community.
We have lost pillars of this church in the past few months, and buried yet another a few weeks ago. and since that time, we have formally commended 4 more lives to God- some I knew personally, some strangers to me.
It's always a difficult place for me to be, eulogizing a person I have never met-
writing a sermon to comfort a family that has never stepped foot in the sanctuary-
collecting memories that I've gleaned from the photos on a memory board-
While the heart of the gospel never really changes, I suppose the same can be said for the heart of grief.
To that end, I pray that my words can offer some measure of hope and comfort to those who grieve.
But on the other end...
I just wish they would call some other pastor in town for the funeral...
It has been over a month and the initial joy at the election result has been overshadowed by much loss and grief in this little community.
We have lost pillars of this church in the past few months, and buried yet another a few weeks ago. and since that time, we have formally commended 4 more lives to God- some I knew personally, some strangers to me.
It's always a difficult place for me to be, eulogizing a person I have never met-
writing a sermon to comfort a family that has never stepped foot in the sanctuary-
collecting memories that I've gleaned from the photos on a memory board-
While the heart of the gospel never really changes, I suppose the same can be said for the heart of grief.
To that end, I pray that my words can offer some measure of hope and comfort to those who grieve.
But on the other end...
I just wish they would call some other pastor in town for the funeral...
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Holy Grounds: A brave new world
Yes, my candidate won.
Yes, I believe in his ability to unite this country.
Yes, He has an amazing organization already in place to effect change.
Yes, I know others are sad today.
Yes, the concession speech by the other candidate was beautiful, and perhaps more authentic than any I have heard lately from his campaign.
Yes, I know people are worried about a young black man who could change the world.
But the only thing we have to fear is fear itself (from another candidate who people doubted)
And God is still God of all principalities and powers.
And now... WE HAVE GOT SOME WORK TO DO!
Yes, I believe in his ability to unite this country.
Yes, He has an amazing organization already in place to effect change.
Yes, I know others are sad today.
Yes, the concession speech by the other candidate was beautiful, and perhaps more authentic than any I have heard lately from his campaign.
Yes, I know people are worried about a young black man who could change the world.
But the only thing we have to fear is fear itself (from another candidate who people doubted)
And God is still God of all principalities and powers.
And now... WE HAVE GOT SOME WORK TO DO!
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