Some of you know, I’ve been taking classes at Fuller Seminary. I’m taking one class a quarter, so it’s slow going. But I’m able to keep up with the course work and still do some of the other things I need to do, like drive two teenagers around every afternoon when they get home from…
Fragments
On Mercies that are New and my Journey with Wine
Last month, I turned forty-two. John took me out to dinner the night before, and the day of my birthday the kids came home in the early afternoon and the four of us, including Olive the dog, swam out to the dock in the middle of the lake. We jumped off the diving boards, and…
On the Mystery and Wonder of Enough
Lucas just walked through the door this afternoon. He finished his final day of eighth grade. He will now tell people that he’s headed into high school, freshman year. Emma is at the nail salon with a friend. She’s finished drivers ed, her freshman year is behind her, and in a few short weeks the…
A Homily on Pentecost: The Wildfire of the Holy Spirit
On Saturday night, we had our Pentecost Feast. Below is the homily I gave. The Scriptures Lectionary for the night was: Psalms 104:24-34 Genesis 11:1-9 John 14:8-17, 25-27 Acts 2:1-21 About twenty years ago, I went on one of my first extended stay to South America. I lived in Chile for three months, and then…
On Deborah: A Heroine for All
When I was a young girl, I went to a loving church that taught me the Bible. We had hymn-sings, and Sunday afternoon pot-lucks, we had Christian pageants and my mom sang in a quartet. We prayed for the sick and loved one another. It was a small church, with only one pastor, and his…
On Losing a Dear Friend
My dear friend, Lupe, died ten days ago, on the night of the big snow storm. She had cancer, a relentless cancer. She wasn’t ready to die, even though she’d suffered so much. She was a woman who had life in her. I didn’t get to see her again and as hard as I wanted…
On Emotions, Drinking, and Learning a New Way
I quit drinking wine about a year ago for 100 days. That decision was a long time coming. Those 100 days were so good, so clarifying that a month after they ended, I decided to quit drinking alcohol for a good, at least for a good long while. I’m not exactly sure what a good…
Five Reflections following a Calm Weekend
I’ve decided to turn off Social Media, for the most part, over the weekends. By Friday, I can’t think of anything witty or thoughtful to say, and every single pictures looks the same, so it’s best to yell uncle and quit while I’m strong. I used to think one day off was enough, but now,…
On Ten Things I Learned in 2018
At the end of every season, if I have time, it’s helpful to reflect and think about the things that I’ve been learning. In no particular order, these are ten things I learned this year. New Testament Greek. I’ve still got another quarter to go, but this fall, I signed up for NT Greek thinking…
On Coming Home, an Advent Homily
My homily for December 15, 2018 The Scripture Verses were: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 *** One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies Bridgett Jones Diary. My friend, Katie, and I try to watch it every year. Bridget is this woman turned thirty who can’t seem to catch a break on life….