Create in me a clean heart, O God… (Psalm 51:10a) What is a clean heart, anyway? Is it the absence of raspberry jam and grapefruit juice splatter? Brownie batter or coffee? Maybe this prayer invites God to scour away the toilet bowl ring that’s built up around the edges or the accumulation of kitchen grease …
Category: Lent
Feb 14
A Lent of Love
Like most years, I’ve been pondering what discipline to adopt for my observance of Lent. I’ve never been much for the tradition of giving up chocolate or alcohol (DUH!), and in truth have been more inclined to take things on – like writing, exercise, piano playing, reading a particular book, claiming that quiet time that …
Mar 02
Barren
Then he told them this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it …
Apr 14
A Theology of the Cross
I’m not sure what I expected, but then again you never know what will happen when you open a door and invite people to walk through it. Clearly, I underestimated the possibilities. I invited a few women to imagine options for color and creativity as part of our Lenten observance. They in turn invited members …
Apr 07
Distracted
One week to Palm Sunday (or will it be Passion Sunday this year?), ten days to Maundy Thursday, and I guess that means two weeks to Easter. Rarely, if ever, has something two weeks away been close enough to pull my attention cord, so I’ll let that one sit for now. I have this feeling …
Mar 19
Wilderness Wandering
WILDERNESS WANDERING let the toe tapping begin perhaps deep breathing more in keeping with triathlon pacing too soon to be counting days this journey across barren landscapes featureless horizons long past 40 days please, don’t let that 40 become years the way back is sealed a promise beckons the land flowing with milk and honey …
Mar 06
Cleaning the Stove
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10, 12 We cleaned the pellet stove yesterday. After fumbling our winter way around the discrepancy between when we ought to clean …
Recent Comments