There is a couple in our church here that I have known for as long as I can remember. Keith and Florence have devoted much of their life to ministry and training and advocacy for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and I am privileged to sort of share some office space with… Continue reading Who is paying attention?
Category: Church
Grief, fasting, and community
My friend Christine writes with great beauty and depth about journeying with pain and loss as ever-present companions. Christine lost her beloved son one year ago, and she wrote the following reflection on how her grieving mother’s heart will journey through Lent this year: Last year at this time, I had a strong sense that… Continue reading Grief, fasting, and community
A day to remember who we are
“Even now, declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from punishing. Who knows? He may turn and… Continue reading A day to remember who we are
Freedom
The other day I was loading the kids into the van, and the way that works is the big kids get into their seats in the very back row while I put Elijah in, then I come to other side and sit on the folded down middle seat while I buckle the two of them… Continue reading Freedom
Seattle Pacific
This afternoon I have the opportunity to guest lecture at Seattle Pacific University for a dear friend, Bob Drovdahl, who is a professor there. I will be speaking on my experience with adult education and I am very much looking forward to meeting the students and hearing more about their hearts for ministry in the… Continue reading Seattle Pacific
What I am thinking about…
In a couple of weeks I will begin a six-week teaching series for Lent for the Sunday School program at our church. Typically they bring in outside speakers for this series, but it is my privilege to be the lecturer this year. I have come up with the following as my theme for the six… Continue reading What I am thinking about…
What’s in a name?
This past Sunday, Doug kept Mercy with us for the first half of the worship service. In L.A. I almost always kept the kiddos with me for the singing part of our service. We met in a school cafeteria and our worship gatherings had an informality to them that allowed for our younger members to… Continue reading What’s in a name?
My country, my lifetime
Having voted in this past election while a resident of Los Angeles, and while living among many African American neighbors, today felt a bit strange to watch the inaugural events in a very different kind of community and context. I am sure the day was significant for many around here, but apart from my Facebook… Continue reading My country, my lifetime
Simply complex
In a recent post, David Fitch tackles head-on the issue of why the Missional and Emerging Church movements are so white. I resonated with some of his experiences and observations and thought I would share a few of my stories as well: I remember being at a justice and compassion conference hosted by my denomination… Continue reading Simply complex
Colors
Anyone who has spent any amount of time with my daughter knows that Mercy is HIGHLY particular about colors. From a very young age she loved pink, and at some point early on she developed a strong sense of what she calls “girl colors” and “boy colors”. And she is ADAMANT about colors being appropriate… Continue reading Colors