Traveling
A couple of summers ago, Carol and I, along with our kids and grandkids, spent a lovely week in the mountains of Colorado thanks to some dear friends who offered the use of their place.
Continue the Work
As I sat in the circle of chairs, I was incredibly nervous for the response to my question, "Why did you join this study?"
Re-inspired After 250 Years
The top item on their lists surprised me. I thought they would want to see the White House, the Spy Museum, or the Lunar landing module. But my granddaughter Ella, age 12, wanted to see the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
Tell Us About Pat
One day a week, she stuffed envelopes, answered the phone, greeted guests, and stapled documents. She was part of the cadre of women who volunteered in the main office, but there was some rare sparkle to Pat.
Both/And
I’m teaching a pop-up Sunday morning class this summer, mostly for the folks whose regularly scheduled classes don’t meet again until back-to-school time. We call it Food 4 Thought, in part because there are bakery treats each week, and because we ask four questions of the Bible passage from worship that day.
A Place to Play
Children seem naturally good at play. I love watching them with the bubbles at the 9:01 service on the lawn. But somewhere along the way to adulthood, many of us lose that sense of playfulness.
The Secret of Sabbath
In her book “Reclaiming Rest: The Promise of Sabbath, Solitude, and Stillness in a Restless World,” author Kate Rademacher shares her journey of trying to “keep the Sabbath.”
Summer Discoveries
Children today have more toys than children in previous generations. But they are not more playful! In his book “Play-full Life: Slowing Down and Seeking Peace,” author Jaco Hamman describes the barriers to a playful life and also the spiritual benefits of becoming play-full in the whole of our lives, not just in brief snippets of recreation.
All in the Familly
When I was young and single, people would tell me that when you marry, you don’t just marry the man but you marry his family as well. I didn’t believe it.
An Attainable Table
When you see a person on the street corner holding a cardboard sign, you are confronted with the housing crisis. Is there enough room in the shelter tonight? Is that person couch surfing with relatives?
Putting the “Gen” in Generosity
When I was leading the young adult ministry at our church, I tried to convince all the 20-somethings to sit together in the front pews to provide good visibility for other young guests at worship.
God in the Ordinary
My mother-in-law used to say, “I take photos at family gatherings because I’m too nervous during the event to enjoy it.” After it was over, she could look back at the photos and truly savor the joy of laughter, conversation, eating pie and cookies with the whole family gathered under one roof.
Our Load-bearing Life
“Can that wall come down?” “I don’t know, is it load-bearing?” Whether you are remodeling a church classroom or a home kitchen, you have to watch out for the load-bearing walls.
The Cure for Contempt
With the college basketball season officially over, I was thinking back to a renewed rivalry this past season that in the end didn’t get much traction: the MU/KU game last fall. That rivalry is in some ways like many others: North Carolina/Duke or Louisville/Kentucky.
Post Easter Reality
I’m still recovering from Easter. Not just from the festivities of the day which were grand, not just from the spiritual journey through Lent and Holy Week.
