Category Ruminations
A faith that heals
The story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) is not a story about the healing of ten individuals, and it’s not about the value of expressing gratitude. It’s a story about faith that transcends tradition, that grows beyond the limits of religious practice, and that fosters a uniquely personal, authentic, and original relationship with the […]
Increase our faith
“Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5)! Who hasn’t wanted more faith at some time, more certainty in the face of doubts and questions about life, a more solid footing on which to stand when confronting life’s biggest challenges and burdens? Even those closest to Jesus wanted that, so they asked, “Lord, increase our faith!” And […]
Living into hope
It’s a question that keeps coming up. I often ask it of myself, like I ask it of congregations in transition. “What are you living for, in detail, and what keeps you from living fully for the thing you want to live for.” It’s an especially good question in a crisis, when some condition or […]
On the use of money
If you want to find God, the first step is to listen to God with the “ear of your heart.” It’s hard work, but it’s essential work if we are to grow into the abundant life Jesus offers (John 10:10). As Christians, the first teacher we learn to listen to is Jesus as we find […]
On welcoming sinners
Your responses last week to my three questions – What is your greatest need? What is your greatest hope? What is your most urgent question? – were thoughtful and challenging. It will be an enriching experience to explore them with you. Among your responses were several about how to live a more faithful life. Then […]
Moving down in the world
“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense,” Lewis Carroll wrote. “Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?” It’s a topsy-turvy world, a through-the-looking-glass reality where everything is […]
Worthy of our full attention
Today we formally welcome Jackson Thomas Grieco into the created life we all share. We affirm that he, like everyone, has an essential role to play in God’s ongoing creation, even though we may never know what that role will be. We affirm that without him acting authentically in his God-given role, our own lives […]
The one thing necessary
Martha “was distracted by her many tasks,” the scriptures tell us (Luke 10:38-42), and she didn’t even have Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. It’s no wonder we’re distracted today. Ask a room full of busy professionals how they feel most days and you’re likely to find that just about everyone swims in a flood of distractions, […]
