https://www.flickr.com/photos/frted/15766256226 “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.” Even if you don’t like that song by Lee Greenwood, you probably know it— it is pretty ubiquitous at certain kinds of public events, and certainly at this time of year. I’ve been thinking a lot about freedom these past few…… Continue reading True Freedom
Category: Hope
Henri Nowen & The Prodigal Son
A book was recommended to me in May that I just now got around to reading: The Prodigal Son, by Henri Nowen. The book is a very thorough, very detailed examination of Rembrandt’s painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son” [pictured above, on the book’s cover]. Even so, at the same time, the book is…… Continue reading Henri Nowen & The Prodigal Son
Do Not Remember
“Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19 Many of us, I imagine, love Isaiah 43 and what it promises: God’s guidance, protection and care as the Holy Spirit leads us into…… Continue reading Do Not Remember
Being There
A few weeks ago, as a part of our trip to France, I found myself standing on Omaha Beach with John, one windy morning. Have you been there? To be honest, Normandy is not a place that was on my bucket list (even though being married to a man who loves history means that I…… Continue reading Being There
Pope Francis: A Man who was True
Like millions of people around the world, I have been reflecting on the life and ministry of Pope Francis since his death on Easter Monday, and I wanted to put down a few thoughts of gratitude here. [Instead of, say, using AI to dress myself up in the papal finery that he so rarely wore,…… Continue reading Pope Francis: A Man who was True
![Palm Sunday: Preparation to Celebration [Luke 19:29-34]](https://i0.wp.com/happylutheran.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/palm.jpg?resize=892%2C900&ssl=1 "Palm Sunday: Preparation to Celebration [Luke 19:29-34]")
Palm Sunday: Preparation to Celebration [Luke 19:29-34]
“When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you,…… Continue reading Palm Sunday: Preparation to Celebration [Luke 19:29-34]
Think of your Neighbor
Like many of my colleagues, I have been feeling a strong sense of whiplash these past few months. If you work at a college, university or seminary, maybe you have been feeling that way, too. All of us in higher education, including those of us in theological education, have been struggling to stay abreast of…… Continue reading Think of your Neighbor
Bread from Heaven
For Lent this year, I am reading Lent in Plain Sight: a Devotion through Ten Objects, by Jill Duffield. It has been very good so far, and I wanted to share the devotion from Monday, because it really resonated with a practice that I am trying to embody throughout this season. She reflects on Exodus…… Continue reading Bread from Heaven
Fervor in the Face of Futility
I wanted to share some reflections from an article in the recent issue of The New Yorker. The title of the article was “Helicopter Parents” (by Nick Paumgarten), and from the title alone, I imagine the same topic jumped into your mind as it did into mine: those human parents who hover over their children,…… Continue reading Fervor in the Face of Futility
Working in the Micro
On Tuesday in chapel, we prayed a really lovely petition for small gratitudes–giving thanks for God showing up in small ways in our everyday lives. It struck me at the time, and I have continued to think about it. This prayer has stayed with me because I realize that I am feeling overwhelmed by so…… Continue reading Working in the Micro
Happy Lutheran 