Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Happy Independence Day. Let freedom ring. Are you thinking about freedom today? I’m sure many of us are, and I imagine the word “freedom” generates a wide range of emotions from different people all across our country as we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. What do you…… Continue reading When it Comes to Freedom, Prepositions Matter
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Christmas Travel
Photo by Alex Azabache on Pexels.com It is December 26, and I am at the airport—along with my eight million closest friends, give or take. I am part of the human mass traveling for the holidays. Like most of the other people in the airport today, I am flying because I am a relational human…… Continue reading Christmas Travel
Kwaheri Monduli
In front of the Lutheran Guest House We are leaving Monduli today and heading up to Ketumbeini, which is several hours away and more rural—it is in Maasailand, traditional grazing lands of the Maasai people. We have had such a wonderful time here, and we have learned so much about the work of the Lutheran…… Continue reading Kwaheri Monduli
Grasping & Letting Go
I want to share a brief reflection on a good sermon one of our students preached in chapel this week. [Disclaimer: this is my interpretation of one of the points she made in her sermon—and, as anyone who preaches knows, it may or may not have anything to do with what she actually said, or…… Continue reading Grasping & Letting Go
Read This: The Book of Joy
I just finished a really great book that I would like to share with you, not only because it would be a great read at any time, but in the midst of this pandemic, I would almost define it as necessary. The title is The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, and…… Continue reading Read This: The Book of Joy
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Calling
Today in the United States we are honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., commemorating his extraordinary life and way he changed US society for the better. We have by no means realized the “dream” for which King is so famous, nor have we realized the beautiful community he envisioned, but because of the lingering power of…… Continue reading Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Calling
Easter Joy and Easter Tragedy
My Easter celebration was really wonderful this year. I lead Triduum services with John that included a fabulous Easter vigil with the participation of both college and seminary students. I always find the Great Three Days a very meaningful experience, and this year was no exception. Then, I attended a fabulous Easter morning service, with…… Continue reading Easter Joy and Easter Tragedy
Looking Back Amida
Today was my last day in Kyoto–I have been here as part of my sabbatical, just for 10 days or so. This is my second time in Kyoto, and I find that I love it just as much this time as last time (in 2012)–maybe more. It has been much hotter and more humid than…… Continue reading Looking Back Amida
Hope even for Judas
It’s Holy Week, and besides thinking about being able to eat chocolate again as soon as we start singing alleluia at the Easter Vigil, I also am thinking about Judas. I actually always think about Judas this week: Judas, the enigmatic disciple who sets the whole crucifixion in motion, and then repents so deeply and…… Continue reading Hope even for Judas
“How Beautiful is the Earth…”
One of the things that has been of greatest concern to me in the Trump presidency thus far [and I am aware plenty of folks have a long list here], is the rollback of environmental protections, and the risk this poses to all kinds of different animals and their habitats. We’re already in a…… Continue reading “How Beautiful is the Earth…”
Happy Lutheran 