Reflections for Lent – right before Palm Sunday Sorry I’ve been MIA. It turns out that I got pneumonia. And that sinus infection that wouldn’t go away? … apparently, not so much. Migraines, maybe? Or so the ENT thinks … I’m off to the neurologist next. #meetingmydeductibleinthefirstquarter #insurancereallyisridiculous #gratefulforitanyway #gladforthoughtfuldoctors Last Saturday I finally drugContinueContinue reading “Sidewalk Flowers: Pneumonia”
Category Archives: Just me thinking outloud
Sidewalk Flowers: Outside the Bubble
Reflections for Lent – Day 11 My husband told me about the act of terrorism in Christchurch on the way to dinner. It’s the first major tragedy of this Lenten season. And it was an interesting experience to not be on Facebook. Actually, it was great. I’m sure there were a million shares of newsContinueContinue reading “Sidewalk Flowers: Outside the Bubble”
The Work of Dehumanization and the Gospel Challenge
We are constantly exposed in our culture to subtle and not so subtle messages meant to dehumanize others and to make us less empathic toward the suffering of others. These messages are a basic part of our culture because our culture, unfortunately, is deeply rooted in war, domination, and racism. In the United States, ourContinueContinue reading “The Work of Dehumanization and the Gospel Challenge”
Sidewalk Flowers: Rest
Reflections on Lent 2019 – Day 3 Today is my day off. I know, my initial agreement with the congregation actually says I get two days off a week. I’ve never figured out how to do that. Actually, I’m not so great at always taking one day. Good Shepherd is the kind of place whereContinueContinue reading “Sidewalk Flowers: Rest”
Remembering Fall in Alberta
Inspired by the news of the August snowfall in Alberta (see the HuffPost article or CBC), I found myself reminiscing about my childhood there and the pretty regular occurrence of hard frosts and snow during this time of year. Inspired by a conversation, I wrote a poem. August snow and killing frost “Gather ye rosebudsContinueContinue reading “Remembering Fall in Alberta”
Radical
“The more radical a person is, the more fully he or she enters into reality so that, knowing it better, he or she can better transform it. This individual is not afraid to confront, to listen, to see the world unveiled. This person is not afraid to meet the people or to enter into dialogueContinueContinue reading “Radical”
As the deer longs …
Things haven’t been easy of late. Stuff that was supposed to move forward has ground to a stop. Things that weren’t supposed to happen did. There has been silence where I thought speech was supposed to be and conversations where I kind of longed for silence. And it’s been winter, which never is easy forContinueContinue reading “As the deer longs …”
Running Behind
The texts for Sunday, May 13, 2012: Acts 10:44–48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1–6; and John 15:9–17 “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.” – Acts 10:44 Have you ever felt like you were a little behind the ball on something? Or maybe everything? I feel thatContinueContinue reading “Running Behind”
Waiting for Resurrection
I think my favorite day of Holy Week is Saturday. I love Maundy Thursday and the footwashing and communion shared with a smaller number of people in the dim lighting of the evening, remembering the last night that all the disciples were together with Jesus at the meal. I am always moved, transformed, convicted byContinueContinue reading “Waiting for Resurrection”
Confessions of a Lousy Gardener
A friend of mine asked me to help her learn to garden. I honestly have mixed feelings about this. Not because I’m not excited that she wants to learn to garden—I am. Not because I don’t love helping people garden—I do. Not because I’m not excited about helping her learn to garden—I very much am.ContinueContinue reading “Confessions of a Lousy Gardener”
Going to Hell
“The church is going to hell in a handbasket.” This is a phrase I hear periodically. I especially hear it from people who think that the church shouldn’t change, that it should have stayed the way it was when they were kids. My response has usually been to try to understand what it is thatContinueContinue reading “Going to Hell”
Dancing
In a dance, one person leads and one person follows…or at least in a beautiful, smooth, natural dance. At least, I think that’s how it is supposed to work. I’ve never learned to dance … it’s not from a lack of attempts to teach me, mind you. My Grandpa tried to teach me once afterContinueContinue reading “Dancing”
Jabbok Dawn 