Category: Nature

Thankful for one’s wild and precious life

Posted in Bodies, Creation, Creativity, Hope, Imagination, Life and Living, Literature, Love, Nature, PoetryLeave a comment

Photo by Eusebiu Soica on Pexels.com Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Surely, you have heard this question before. Perhaps in a sermon, perhaps you read it in a book, or perhaps you came across it in a TED talk, or some other presentation. Or,…… Continue reading Thankful for one’s wild and precious life

The Legacy of the Celtic Church

Posted in Church, Creation, Imagination, Jesus, Life and Living, Nature, Religion, TheologyLeave a comment

There are many streams that make up the great coursing river of Christianity that ebbs and flows throughout the entire world. The streams all have their source in Jesus Christ, of course, but their shape, taste, depth, and breath all vary, flavored and colored by their different histories and geographies. But as they come together,…… Continue reading The Legacy of the Celtic Church

Fervor in the Face of Futility

Posted in Animals, Creation, Creativity, Environment, Ethics, Hope, Imagination, Life and Living, Love, Nature, Science, Social IssuesLeave a comment

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

Creation as our Prayer Shawl

Posted in Bodies, Church, Creation, Environment, Hope, Nature, Science, Theology4 Comments

Like many churches and other Christian organizations, Wartburg Seminary has a little prayer shawl ministry. People in our community knit or crochet beautiful, soft shawls that are then given to others who request them. What is unique about them, of course, is revealed in the name. What differentiates a prayer shawl from any other wrap…… Continue reading Creation as our Prayer Shawl

Expanding our Ideas of Beauty

Posted in Animals, Environment, Hope, Imagination, Love, NatureLeave a comment

In anticipation of Earth Day tomorrow, I want to share this great story from National Geographic, which is about animal conservation, a topic near and dear to my heart: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/conservation-cant-just-be-a-popularity-contest?loggedin=true The pictures in the article alone are “click-worthy”–they are from the Photo Ark Project by Joel Sartore. Some years ago, I was able to see…… Continue reading Expanding our Ideas of Beauty

A Love Letter to Mary Oliver, on her Birthday

Posted in Animals, Creation, Creativity, Environment, Hope, Imagination, Life and Living, Love, Nature, PoetryLeave a comment

Dear Mary Forgive the formality, but I feel as though we are old friends, because I know your words so well. Today is your birthday, and it seems to me to be a fine time to write you a love letter. And, I promise I will take your advice: consider this my few words patched…… Continue reading A Love Letter to Mary Oliver, on her Birthday

Earth Day 2020: In Gratitude

Posted in Animals, Bodies, Creation, Environment, Hope, Incarnation, Life and Living, Nature, Relationships, Social IssuesLeave a comment

Today, on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and in a time of COVID-19, I am giving thanks for the body of the earth with a new sense of gratitude and deep appreciation. As I have said before, I am finding this new world of social distancing, self-isolation, and face masks very alien and challenging…… Continue reading Earth Day 2020: In Gratitude