Working It Out

Preaching About Evil

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:30:36 -0500

My brain is more than full with words and ideas following this year’s MidWinter lectures at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I haven’t attended since I graduated from the seminary, but the line-up of speakers and preachers this year caught my eye. So I made my way to Texas in the middle of winter (not a bad thing at all!) and spent two days sitting inside having my head stuffed. The primary lecturer this year was the Rev. Dr. Tom Long, best known for his foundational work in preaching

More Words

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:33:59 -0500

How can I even think to add more words to the millions that have flowed over and around the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama? I know that I teared up yesterday when I opened the paper, and again today, and will probably continue this pattern of amazed joy for quite some time. I am so excited for this new chapter in our history, even as I know personally friends who are not excited, who are dismayed, anxious, fearful, and disappointed. My sense of hope and expectation is overwhelm

December again

Sat, 6 Dec 2008 10:11:14 -0500

Don’t be fooled by the picture. That’s last year’s tree. I haven’t done any trimming of the house yet, and, while our annual Advent Open House is on the calendar, I haven’t started making a list of the goodies I’ll bake this year. I know the month is going to fly by, and in many ways I’m ready. But in many ways I’m not. I wish I could see my nephew during his first Christmas and hear him laugh in person. I wish I had an answer as to what I’m going to be doing once my job at the church is re

Another Book Down

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 17:34:53 -0400

I’ve finished another book in the car, and this one didn’t even make it to my blog list! Between Alice Walker’s book and the book I just started by Herman Hesse, I listed to “My Antonia” by Willa Cather. My only other experience with Cather was when I was the stage manager for the production of “O Pioneers!” at Whitworth. That was a beautiful play, full of heart and soul, and I loved being involved in it. I still remember some of the amazing scenes--Diana Trotter, as the director, made the s

Now Is the Time to Open

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:08:32 -0400

I finished the book by Alice Walker today, running errands here and there in the car. Given the scope of the book and the emphasis on living fully, I’m pretty sure that’s not how she envisioned the story unfolding. Still, even half concentrating on the flow of words while navigating traffic, I enjoyed the journey. The story basically follows a woman, Kate, and her partner Lolo. Kate has been dreaming of dry rivers, and comes to the conclusion that she must start journeying to real rivers. I