I was setting up my nativity characters for chapel this week, and was reminded about a preschool chapel last year that became the central illustration in a sermon I preached on Dec. 20, 2015. The sermon was in the context of a ‘Traveler’s Christmas,’ a Christmas Eve service for those… Continue reading
A few months ago I called my credit union with a simple question, and ended up getting routed to the supervisor of fraud detection because after I answered the basic security questions the customer service lady said, “well, we don’t have that Michelle is a male, so I’m going to… Continue reading
In pondering the sermon for this Sunday, I discovered that I actually had two sermons. This is the one that won’t get preached. Text: Matthew 5:13-16 In the movie Lion King, Simba is born into greatness. A descendant of the king, he is told from a young age that he… Continue reading
My congregation is doing a 6-week sermon/study series based on the book by John Ortberg, If you Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. I’ve been familiar with this book for quite some time, but I don’t think I’ve read it. The book is based… Continue reading
I recently listened to a podcast by Rob Bell called “Seasons.” He talks about taking his son to college, and realizing that with the change of seasons, come both joys and challenges–even if that change is good and necessary and life-giving. He connected to the story of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene… Continue reading
Collaborating with others via Facebook and Zoom While sitting alone in my living room; Tweeting and retweeting the Olympics parade Long after my tab at the bar has been paid; My brother in Indy posted an article about someone I once knew My mom in Minnesota saw it, and commented,… Continue reading
Yesterday I watched camp counselors guiding a group of senior high youth through an intermediate level ropes course challenge activity. It was a pretty basic challenge–wearing a harness, climb the rope ladder and walk the elevated course of steps, platforms and wires, and then zipline your way back to the… Continue reading
One of the things I love about being part of a liturgical church is that the rhythm of the church year teaches me new stuff about the ongoing life of faith. In the context of writing a sermon recently, I was reflecting on it again. This is the bit that… Continue reading
I have an unfortunate love of watching TV series…straight through on Netflix. I don’t do this often, but every now and then I have a stretch of time that isn’t highly scheduled and I find myself spending more time than I’d like to admit clicking “watch next episode,” saying ‘just… Continue reading
As I’m winding up my time at Advent, more and more I’m pausing to ponder what I will take with me as I think back on these 5 years. Here’s my list so far: conversations with my pastor as we drive to synod events (I’m REALLY going to miss these!)… Continue reading