Exquisite Grief
In seminary, nobody tells you how hard it is to say goodbye to a loving church community when one is called to another church. What is it like to leave…
Savoring pilgrimage: redux
Are we tourists or pilgrims in our day-to-day lives with God?
Sabbatical #8: On Reentry
When is busyness productive, and when is it counterproductive? And how does a pastor/minister/priest even measure productivity, when part of our job is to be still and pray, or to study the Bible just for the Bible’s sake?
Sabbatical Post #7: On getting lost
I decided to stop thinking that I was lost or had failed to navigate properly. I was in a beautiful forest, the ground was soft, my feet were happy, the rain had stopped, and Apple Maps was going to get me to that car park.
Sabbatical #6: Inter-species appreciation
As we were heading down the hill, four sheep were directly across our path. Instead of dispersing, one young lamb came up to me and sniffed my hand. I felt gifted by a divine visit. Lamb of God indeed.
Sabbatical Post #5: Purple AND Orange
When we celebrate the unity in diversity, when we see how closely we are intertwined, we no longer think that purple and orange are opposed to one another. They go quite well together, and sometimes they merge into a beautiful earthy brown. They share that one blood red at their base.
Sabbatical Post #4: Catching Flowers in the Wind
On my first day on the sacred pilgrimage site on the isle of Iona, I was captivated by purple irises with fine, variegated petals—a variety I do not remember seeing…
Sabbatical Post #3: Working to Rest
It might take some work for me to turn away from the cares of the world, but I remind myself that someone else will work and weep for now. I’m sure my turn will come again.
Sabbatical Post #2: This sabbatical is for the birds!
This past Saturday, I participated in a community-wide garage sale in my neighborhood. My house was listed along with others in my community, and people in search of goods receive…
Sabbatical Post #1: In no hurry
You wouldn’t think that after a year of living and working at home alone, I would enjoy beginning my sabbatical with down time at home. After all, as an extrovert,…
Aubade
I awoke to a symphony of birdsong this morning. This was due to my keeping my bedroom windows open all night to let in cool air, something I don’t always…
Stay Well
We Californians are entering the third week of the stay-at-home mandate to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and like many other people, I am collecting blessings and thanksgivings during this time…
Tidying Up
On NetFlix, I happened upon a new series starring Marie Kondo called “Tidying Up,” which is about decluttering one’s home so that one’s joy and freedom may flourish. Marie Kondo…
Coming Home to Authentic Life
Social scientists, psychologists and theologians have pointed out the importance of community and love attachments to a joyous and purpose-filled life. At the same time, they have pointed out the…
Gospel on the Ground 