Here is an Advent reflection I wrote for a service last year from John 1. Merry Christmas. Seeing an Eternal Creator 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. We look into the past and marvel at the lighting of our sun, the ordering of our solar system, the orbiting… Continue reading →
I read this article today questioning the effectiveness and importance of organized religion. It’s a perennial question, but I see it being asked more and more (like in Lynnea’s post about Anne Rice). One of my favorite authors, Diana Butler Bass, is working on a new book about people who say they are “spiritual, but not religious.” I’m curious what others have to say on the subject. Has Religion Run Its Course? Social Bookmarking
Months and months ago, I posted about contemplating whether to have my baby christened and how I could convince my husband to be cool with it. Well, after a long time of procrastination, the baby and his big brothers will all be christened at our Episcopal church next month. Or should I just say ‘baptized’ for the big boys? Christening seems like just a baby thing. Anyway, it turned out after all my rambling on and worrying about it, that my husband was fine with… Continue reading →
I didn’t go to church today. I knew it we were having communion today. My church does communion quarterly. I was raised in a church that had monthly communion, although they would have never referred to it as anything as The Lord’s Supper. I think my uncomfortableness with communion goes back to my childhood. I was raised that you had to be right with God to partake. I struggle, so I don’t feel right. I have been to a Disciples of Christ church where the… Continue reading →
What are you doing for Lent? I thought about asking, “What are you giving up for Lent?” but really I think Lent is so much more than “giving up chocolate” or the like. I know we are not all from church backgrounds that observe Lent. For those unfamiliar with Lent, here’s how I explained it to some online friends earlier today. Technically it is a season of the church calendar leading up to Easter which is supposed to be about fasting, prayer, and penitence in… Continue reading →
I am not a Calvinist. I don’t like systematic theology. I don’t enjoy endless debate about the character and sovereign nature of God. These things are neither fruitful nor soul-nourishing to me. However, I also don’t like being insulted as “theologically light” simply for not agreeing with a particular interpretation of Scripture. As if had I only studied more diligently and prayed more fervently, then I would understand. Or, perhaps, it is not God’s will for me. (Yes, that is sarcasm.) If I have something… Continue reading →
So you may have heard (well, I know Audra and Lynnea have heard) that I recently had a baby. Actually he’s almost 3 months old now, so not so very recently. Anyway, now it’s time to decide if we want to have him christened at our Episcopal church. My husband and I are now Episcopalian, but he was raised Baptist and I was raised a weird combo of Assembly of God, Church of Christ, Baptist, etc. So this christening/infant baptism thing is not really part… Continue reading →