Who Are We To Hinder God?

One can see it the longer one spends out in the garden, or in nature, the ways in which nature tends to take care of itself. But as I’ve learned to garden over the years, I’ve learned that sometimes the spaces we cultivate for flowers or trees or crops need special care so that theyContinue reading “Who Are We To Hinder God?”

Redeemed, Beloved, and Called

There is a particular sort of response that I have whenever someone really pushes my buttons; maybe it’s an inflamed issue that gets lots of attention in the media or something more deep-seeded and woven into childhood wounds, but no matter the cause, I tend to have the same response, and since it’s my lastContinue reading “Redeemed, Beloved, and Called”

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”