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I’ve thought a lot about church for the last three years. It all started with an evangelism class at seminary. My end of semester paper was titled “Reimagining Church: What If We Ran Church Like an AA Meeting?”
My One Word
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It’s that time of year again. A time when many of us make resolutions with every intention of keeping them and then break them just a few days into the new year. I go between making resolutions and choosing a word to shape my year around. When I make resolutions, I try to use Luke 2:52 as a template.
My Sermon Journey – Brooding on Jonah
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My second assignment for preaching class is to preach on prophecy. Y’all, prophecy scares me. It is intimidating for me and always has been. It’s an understatement to say that I’m dreading this sermon. To add a little complexity, Continue reading “My Sermon Journey – Brooding on Jonah”
Grief and Its Effects
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One thing that you should know about me is my husband died by suicide almost four and a half years ago. It is possibly the one event that has changed my life more than any other. If you have been affected by suicide or the death of a spouse, you know that either of these things is traumatic on their own. But to have both happen simultaneously is a heavy load to bear. Continue reading “Grief and Its Effects”
What Is a Pastor?
A friend of mine recently shared a post of an opening for a “pastor” in Colorado. Yes, the quotes are intentional. You’ll see why in a minute. Continue reading “What Is a Pastor?”
The Snitch and the Mystery of the Divine
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For me, the word seeker conjures up images of Quidditch, a team game played in the Harry Potter universe. A seeker is a player that searches for the snitch: a small, golden ball with wings that flits to and fro at the speed of light. The snitch is tough to see and it’s a tedious job to keep after it, especially when Continue reading “The Snitch and the Mystery of the Divine”
Fitting In At the Foot of the Cross
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I haven’t ever really fit in. I grew up a poor, overweight, shy kid with a last name that just begged to be made fun of. I didn’t have a lot of friends and lunchtime at school was brutal. My only sanctuary during my middle school and high school years was the band room. Continue reading “Fitting In At the Foot of the Cross”
Preaching to an Unknown Congregation
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I’ve been asked to preach. In a church, y’all. The only other time I’ve preached is in preaching class to my professor, classmates, friends, and family, all of which friendly faces.
This Sunday I’ll be going to a little country church with my short hair, tattoos, and piercings to preach to a congregation that may or may not be fully affirming of women in the pulpit. Continue reading “Preaching to an Unknown Congregation”
Just Write Already!
I’ve been thinking that I should sit down and write. But I haven’t exactly had anything monumental to write about. As if I need anything earth-shattering to write about. After all, no one really reads these things anyway. So I’m committing to writing something at least once every week. I guess that this is my one time to do that this week.
So….what to write…what to write…
More
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You died on a Tuesday
You took your own life
I wonder if you thought
At all of your wife
I was left alone
Half of a whole
Left to patch up
My anguishing soul Continue reading “More”
The Clumsy Pilgrim 