Love will set us free
“When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable,” Madeleine L'Engle wrote. “But to grow up is to accept vulnerability. To be alive is to be vulnerable.”And there is a…
“When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable,” Madeleine L'Engle wrote. “But to grow up is to accept vulnerability. To be alive is to be vulnerable.”And there is a…
There’s an old story of a child walking in a forest, surrounded by sun-dappled oak trees. He climbs through the brambles and plays in the fallen leaves, mesmerized by spiderwebs and mossy rocks until the moment he realizes he’s completely…
Happy New Year to all.For many, it is resolution time.But here’s my confession, I’m not a list maker. Well, that’s not technically accurate. I do make lists, but tend to forget where I put them. This is true; I tip…
Do you know the story of Hope in No Man’s Land?The movie does my heart good.The setting is Christmas, 1914. World War I—raging for only four months—had already become one of the bloodiest wars in history. Soldiers on both sides…
I write (and talk) a lot about embracing beauty in the ordinary. The sacrament of the present moment. But some days, I feel undone by life's unsightliness. The cracks, fault lines and intense suffering takes a toll.I reread Donald Hall's…
Some years ago, a homesick dog made news headlines in Seattle. He negotiated traffic, eluded Washington State Police, and crossed a bridge. (Yes, it sounds like a Far Side Cartoon.) But this was not just any bridge.Zeb, an Australian shepherd,…
I sat down today to write Sabbath Moment. But a blank paper continued to stare back. That’s never fun. So, I picked up the newspaper, and read this headline, “How to Stay Sane in Brutalizing Times,” by David Brooks.I picked…
It has been another week where the news makes us wonder if there are any answers... accompanied by feeling powerless, deeply emotional, horrified, angry, and scared.I am grateful for your emails. One asked, “You talk about spiritual hydration. But how…
Some days the headlines are just too big to put our emotional arms (and heart) around. And when it happens, my heart is heavy. And sadly, I do my best to ignore it, and close my eyes, to my detriment.So.…
In his book, Life of the Beloved, Henri Nouwen tells the story of Janet, “one of my friends who is quite handicapped but a wonderful, wonderful lady.”She said to me, “Henri, can you bless me?”I remember walking up to her…