Just before our trip to New Mexico, I picked up an old issue of the Atlantic Monthly?(Oct 05) to read on the plane. ?I don't remember how the magazine landed in my hands, but I noticed a cover story on a (then new) book: Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His … [Read more...] about Lincoln’s Melancholy: Did It Fuel His Sense of Purpose?
Holy Laughter Has the Last Word in Ministry with Teens
Last night our Session (church governing body) examined a group of Confirmation students (7th-8th graders), who we call Seekers. ?There were 9 Seekers, 7 Elders, 1 Teacher, 1 Pastor, and 5 Pizzas. The Seekers have been meeting since October, nearly every Sunday morning. We started with the pizza … [Read more...] about Holy Laughter Has the Last Word in Ministry with Teens
Got Acedia? Who cares.
I heard Kathleen Norris talk about "acedia" at the Festival of Faith & Writing. ?Acedia is an ancient term for a sin which can be defined as apathy, or boredom, or more precisely, "why bother." She quoted some very profound writers on the subject. ?It seems that in the 4th century acedia was a … [Read more...] about Got Acedia? Who cares.
Festival of Faith & Writing 2008
I'm home again after an amazing 3-day Festival of Faith & Writing. ?I stayed with my parents, time which is so precious. Both of my parents attended the Festival, their second one. They have good health and sharp minds, and are an example of how to keep meeting people and loving life. Three good … [Read more...] about Festival of Faith & Writing 2008
Exercising the Kingdom
I love my gym. ?I work out at a Lady of America about a mile from my house 4-5 times a week, first thing in the morning. The names of the classes sound painful (cardio kickboxing, cardio interval, bootcamp, step 'n sculpt) but they feel wonderful. ?At least, when they're over, they do. What I love … [Read more...] about Exercising the Kingdom
New Mexico, Land of Enchantment
Our trip to New Mexico was everything I hoped it would be, which is saying a lot. We arrived in a dust storm and saw our first tumbleweed before we got off the plane. (Or should I say, before we de-planed. ?How often do you get to use that word?) In Santa Fe we bought turquoise on a cold, windy … [Read more...] about New Mexico, Land of Enchantment
Loving the Talent, Loving the Teens
Teenagers get such a bad rap. People complain that they're sullen or out-of-control or whatever. I disagree. Tonight I went to "So You Think You've Got Talent" at the high school. I only knew a few of the kids who were on stage, but that didn't matter. It was the easiest thing to sit in … [Read more...] about Loving the Talent, Loving the Teens
Decade by Decade: What Emerges
Our Lent theme at church is: Decade by Decade: Questions Along the Journey. Each week, in addition to the sermon, a member of the congregation is sharing a bit of their faith journey. Each week focuses on a different decade of life. My goal is to reinforce the fact that our entire life is a … [Read more...] about Decade by Decade: What Emerges
In Praise of Valentines Day
I know that a lot of people hate Valentine's Day. ?And I understand that it's too much pressure and too commercialized and they jack up the prices on flowers and you can't get a reservation. ?All that. But at the gym yesterday, women were talking about how V-day is "just for the kids" with their … [Read more...] about In Praise of Valentines Day
The Terror of the Night
Does your child ever have night terrors??They're different from nightmares, and quite worrisome. When our older daughter was a toddler, she went through a period of waking up in sheer terror. My husband I would wake up when we heard her screams, rush into her room, and find her sitting up in bed, … [Read more...] about The Terror of the Night
Singing Harmonia Sacra to Greet the New Year
I spent New Year's Night singing hymns in a church, unaccompanied, with 300 or so other people. ?The crowd was diverse in age, but entirely white in skin color. Everyone was dressed very nicely in what I called "church clothes" growing up. I've sung with Old Order Mennonites before, it's a memorable … [Read more...] about Singing Harmonia Sacra to Greet the New Year
Something New — My First Blogpost
Three years ago my husband bought me my domain name for Mother's Day. ?He said "it's for when you get published." ?Well, the years go by, and it's like having a piece of lingerie in the drawer that's "too good to use." ?Which is not my style. ?If you looked in my drawers you would understand that … [Read more...] about Something New — My First Blogpost