Photo by Chris F on Pexels.com “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, [God] calls a butterfly.” ~ Richard Bach. I was in a nail salon last week [where there was quite a profusion of Christian-themed messages, by the way], and this quote was displayed in a little frame in the window. I actually hadn’t…… Continue reading The Caterpiller into the Butterfly
Category: Imagination
The 8 Pillars of Joy
I have written about The Book of Joy before, because I love it so much. Really, if you haven’t read it, I so strongly recommend it–for anyone, not just if you are religious. It is a book for people who love themselves, the world, and other people–and want to live more fully into a disposition…… Continue reading The 8 Pillars of Joy
God is Resurrecting the Church
I want to share a modified version of my opening devotion from the Wartburg Seminary board meeting, and the metaphor I have been thinking about for some time: “God is resurrecting the church.” I start this post with some verses from 1 Corinthians 15: 35 But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what…… Continue reading God is Resurrecting the Church
Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting
On my way to California, I read a book that I was really hoping I would be able to recommend highly. It is called Keeping the Sabbath Wholly, by Marva Dawn. While it certainly does contain some good insights, it turns out I can’t recommend the book, for several important reasons. Let me start with…… Continue reading Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting
Reflections from the Augustana Hochschule
I am back in Neuendettelsau at the Augustana Hochschule, where I studied for a year as an exchange student from Wartburg Seminary during the academic year 1994-1995. Before this trip, I had only been back to Neuendettelsau one time since then, and I hadn’t really spent any time in the Augustana itself. So, it is…… Continue reading Reflections from the Augustana Hochschule
God’s Holy Darkness
All my friends know that winter is my favorite season. I love the snow, I love the cold, I love the crisp air, I love the stark landscape—and I love my winter wardrobe of sweaters, boots and tights. It doesn’t bother me that I am the exception in my affection; I know full well that…… Continue reading God’s Holy Darkness
Beyond Profession
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I am here at the Association of Theological Schools Biennial Meeting, which has been great so far–great things to learn and good colleagues to meet. It seems like a good time to share a brief review of a great new book I just read, which is about theological education. Beyond…… Continue reading Beyond Profession
New Life—Christ’s & Ours, Really
Make no mistake: if he rose at allIt was as His body;If the cell’s dissolution did not reverse, the molecule reknit,The amino acids rekindle,The Church will fall. It was not as the flowers,Each soft spring recurrent;It was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled eyes of theEleven apostles;It was as His flesh; ours.…… Continue reading New Life—Christ’s & Ours, Really
Atlas of the Heart
I just finished another Brené Brown book, Atlas of the Heart. it is a beautiful book, with great illustrations, and some of the best quotes in the book are highlighted in big colorful type on their own pages. Emotions often get such a bad rap: I mean, if someone calls you emotional, it’s not usually…… Continue reading Atlas of the Heart
The Promise of Something New
For some reason, I continue to think a great deal about All Saints Day, even though we are now weeks beyond it. It was probably because the list of names was long this year–was there any congregation for which that wasn’t true?–and that extended list of names, of faces, of loved ones really brought home…… Continue reading The Promise of Something New
Happy Lutheran 