One of my favorite things about our language is a turn of phrase or idioms; I love the way they short-hand common experiences and provide a level of familiarity. I love these turns of phrases, because they fast track our communication. Recently, I looked into the origins of one of my most often used idioms:Continue reading “Healing and Hurt”
Tag Archives: Jesus
What Do We Lack?
Maybe I’m projecting my own awkwardness on all of you, but I’m keenly aware of two things this morning. First, I’ve stolen the opening line from last week’s sermon. Preaching about Mark’s account of Jesus’ diatribe on divorce is no easy task, and I am grateful for Father Steve’s skill in preaching the truthContinue reading “What Do We Lack?”
At What Cost And To What End?
It may be no surprise that when I was in elementary school, I was what was known as a “teacher’s pet,” because teachers generally liked my attention to detail, obsessive rule following, and my general quiet nature. Public speaking and preaching is part of my job now, but for most of my childhood andContinue reading “At What Cost And To What End?”
God’s Rest and Healing
Throughout my life, I can reflect back on the ways in which I have been privileged to have many different teachers and how many of my most important lessons in life have come from unexpected places. One continual, and perhaps surprising teacher, is a well-known painter from whom I learned that, “there are noContinue reading “God’s Rest and Healing”
Uncomfortable Places
The lessons one learns on the Camino span the gamut of complex, soul-deep lessons that take years to unpack and obvious ones like learning to be careful about how much stuff you carry in your pack. You tend to take a rain jacket and one change of clothes, the shoes you walk in, andContinue reading “Uncomfortable Places”
Do Not Loose Heart
In the south rose window of the Chartres Cathedral in France about 60 miles from Paris, there is a particularly unique depiction of the writers of the four Gospels from the early 13th Century. Below the giant circle rose window are five lancet style-stained glass windows, with Christ being in the center, and flanking himContinue reading “Do Not Loose Heart”
Abide With Us
This sermon can be listened to here. One of my favorite hymns, of which there are many, that I haven’t been able to get out of my head this week is “Abide with Me.” It’s a haunting beautiful hymn, written by an Anglican priest in the early 1800s who was with his dying friend,Continue reading “Abide With Us”
Knowing and Being Known
While on sabbatical two years ago, I found myself sick with COVID, canceled plans, and an extended stay in Porto, Portugal because I could not fly home. By the grace of God, the Air BnB that I had rented was the property of a lovely couple who took hospitality very seriously. They left me aContinue reading “Knowing and Being Known”
Sacred Bonds
I am curious about practically everything I have ever learned. I love to know about the mundane pieces of our lives; it does not take much to amaze me when it comes to the intricacies of how anything in this world works: the water cycle, traffic patterns, Microsoft Excel – I love all of it,Continue reading “Sacred Bonds”
Thy Kingdom Come
Over 120 years ago, a fictional Irish character, Mr. Dooley, was written by Finely Peter Dunne, and he penned one of the best summaries of the preacher’s job as he went into a rant about the state of newspapers these days. Christian leaders back in 1902, were quick to lift the phrase, “afflict the comfortable,Continue reading “Thy Kingdom Come”
Becca Kello 