“I am an atheist, but this…” He extends his arms wide and looks around him. “…is my church! Once a year I come here to get filled back up!” Those may not be his exact words, but every year, Matthew Clemens shares a version of this statement at Midwest...... More »
Not long ago, I re-read an old book. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It was different than I remembered. I mean, some things made me cringe a teensy bit—but I found myself reading stories I’d forgotten, totally interested to see what happened. I was blown...... More »
I was thinking again the other day (as I do daily, ad nauseam) about my struggles with my faith. My doubts, the journey I’ve been on, the losses I’ve experienced as my faith has evolved—my old (and much-loved) church community, friendships, my sense of security. My new church recently...... More »
I shared this reflection at my church’s Mid-Summer Peace and Renewal Service. The text is below, or you can click the YouTube graphic to go to the starting point of my message. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will...... More »
I’m staking everything—my eternity, which I still believe in; my relationship with the Almighty; my soul—on my certainty that there is a beneficent, benevolent, merciful God. A living embodiment of the unlimited grace I believe in. It makes no sense, yet it’s terrifying to let go of this idea...... More »
It’s lonely. You know you’re not the only one on this path yet most of the people on similar journeys are outside of church, or scattered around the country in different places, and you no longer have the comfort of gathering with other like-minded believers under one roof. Even...... More »
I’ve been pondering that whole scene in the Bible where the angel Gabriel appears to Mary. How did she feel? How much say did she really have in the whole thing? How much did she understand about what it would mean—for her and for the world? I think she...... More »
As always, Kelly Balarie is full of encouragement and hope… things we all need right about now! Perfect timing for me to share this guest post with you… Enjoy! Are things going to turn out okay? I don’t know about you, but these days, I see all this political...... More »
Welcome to installment #8 in a series called Making Scripture Your Own. (Read intro post here.) I attended a retreat with Meggie Kornelsen a few years ago, and although I didn’t get to spend any real time with her, I’ve since followed her avidly on social media. She’s interesting...... More »
Welcome to installment #7 in a series called Making Scripture Your Own. (Read intro post here.) Kayla Bernal is one of those lovely friends I’ve found online along the way of my writing career, and although we have yet to meet face to face, I admire so many things...... More »