A teenager sat with me in a tiny room of the residential treatment center. She was admitted to the program a few days before, and like the other adolescents there, if her parents had good insurance, she might stay there for up to three years. She showed me the scars that ran up the length … Continue reading Squeamish About Blood?
As we see the possibility of this year-long pandemic coming to a close, or at least the possibility of life returning to some kind of new abnormal, I think I’m beginning to see some things differently. I have taken too much for granted. I have undervalued big things and little things. Toilet paper is one … Continue reading Body-life is Life Together
When you exit our little cul-de-sac and turn right onto the county road, you won’t go far before coming to an intersection. For a long time it was a four-way stop, but a traffic light was installed there a couple of years ago. Another right turn takes you to all the civilization and commerce you … Continue reading Zion Remains
I picked the wrong time to change churches. How was I supposed to know how 2020 would be when I left my old church back in the spring of 2019? My reasons for leaving are many and varied. They really don’t matter at this point. It wasn’t an easy decision since I taught a Sunday … Continue reading Timing. Some Things We Don’t Choose
These are surreal times in our world. How often have we watched the reports lately and said, “I can’t believe this is happening.” I try to avoid too much television news but want to stay informed. I think we have what we need at our house to carry on with some normalcy, but I have … Continue reading The Scattered Church
Yes, it’s the holiday season, but not yet New Year’s Day - as in January 1. It’s the beginning of the Advent season. On the church Christian calendar, Advent begins the new cycle of liturgical seasons that celebrate the full redemption story of Jesus. Sunday, December 1, was the first Sunday of Advent for this … Continue reading It’s December, so Happy New Year!
This time of year, there are many opportunities for adults to listen in on children being asked, “What are you thankful for?” You can count on some standard answers: my parents, my toys, my food, my television, my dog, or school is out this week. Yesterday in church, I heard an answer that made me … Continue reading Give Thanks in All Circumstances?
