the wonderful gift of lent is that it brings you face to face with your own striving for goodness. we make these resolutions to abstain from chocolate or pizza, to spend more time with our parents or children and somehow, if we are lucky, we come up short. we are confronted with the sloppy almost [...]
When Akiba was on his deathbed, he bemoaned to his rabbi that he felt he was a failure. His rabbi moved closer and asked why, and Akiba confessed that he had not lived a life like Moses. The poor man began to cry, admitting that he feared God’s judgement. At this, his rabbi leaned into [...]
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 This passage is always curious to me. First, the idea that my heart and mind need guarding. Second, that peace would do the job. I’ve come to realize that, quite obviously, my heart and mind [...]
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 photo credit: OntCopper
Do not believe a thing simply because it has been said. Do not put your faith in traditions only because they have been honored by many generations. Do not believe a thing because the general opinion believes it to be true or because it has been said repeatedly. Do not believe a thing because of [...]
The messes we make, our lives comprised of general disorder, ambiguous plans, half-heart attempts. Lately, most days it all seems like chaos to me. Without rhyme or reason or order. But what do I know? It’s not my plan being executed. I’m not the grand architect of this life. Everyday, I get up wash my [...]
I wait for things everyday: my turn in line, return emails or phone calls, lunch, a green light. I wait for these small things that I know will eventually come within minutes if not a few days. How do you wait for the bigger things, the further out things? Decisions to be released in weeks [...]
When you begin to live an examined life it is the natural course of things to judge your attitude and behaviors. All at once you want to be perfect. You have decided what is right and what is wrong; the behavior you are striving for and what you are working against. It becomes incredibly difficult [...]
This is a wonderful reflection on the meaning of Lent with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. There are many different ways of celebrating Lent: some renounce activities or attitudes and others acquire new behaviors or perspectives. Either way it usually involves an abrupt shift in lifestyle and outlook that leaves one wanting. Not as [...]