Happy Lutheran

The past few weeks in chapel we have been reflecting on the different lines of the Creed; and when the schedule originally came out, I jumped on the chance to lead worship today, when the line was “he descended into the dead.”  That’s the new ELW default position, anyway, although it notes “descended into hell” is…… Continue reading "He Descended into Hell"

Where are going to end up after you die?  No, this isn’t a question about the state of your immortal soul [actually, I don’t believe in such a thing:  Christians confess the resurrection of the body, which is something quite different]–but rather a literal inquiry:  what’s going to happen to your body when you die?…… Continue reading Where are You Going after You Die?

OK–this post is somewhat mis-titled:  it really should be “In Defense of Giving Up Chocolate for Lent” which, at least in my community, is definitely the go-to negative example of what you are “supposed” to do for Lent, and what Lent is really about.  But, here’s the thing–and this is my “true confessions” moment for…… Continue reading In Defense of Chocolate–Perennial Lenten Whipping Boy

I don’t know where you stand on abortion:  we all know it’s an issue fraught with challenging ethical and theological questions, complicated by individuals’ personal experiences.  There doesn’t feel like there is one good, “right” answer–at least to me–and any time I’ve had a conversation about abortion with anyone, I end up walking away feeling…… Continue reading Whose Right, and to What Kind of Life?

I have been thinking a lot the past two weeks about Philip Seymour Hoffman’s shocking drug overdose, especially after being in San Antonio with my friend Adrienne–we talked about it quite a bit.  I’m still trying to process the whole thing, really.  According to one article, Hoffman first entered rehab back when he was 22, and then…… Continue reading Sin and Addiction

I am here in San Antonio getting ready to present a paper tomorrow at Incarnate Word University on the Christian rationale for interreligious dialogue.  As I was reading The New York Times on my iPad this morning, I came across this piece:  http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/the-dangers-of-certainty/?emc=edit_tnt_20140203&tntemail0=yRead it, and please watch the video.  He argues passionately against “dogma” and…… Continue reading " We Have to Touch People"