Well before dawn this morning, a little bird struck up a song outside an open window above our bed. She sang her heart out. Her chorus was complex: chirps and warbles and runs. A veritable symphony of joy, filled with contagious energy and beauty. She sang her heart out. The darkness did not stop her. […]

I've been feeling all the dark feels lately, so I decided to post a lovely little essay today about one day in a life; in your life, and in mine. See what you think. The Life of a Day Like people or dogs, each day is unique and has its own personality quirks which can […]

The 30th president of the United States said, “It takes a great man to be a good listener.” I would add that the same is true for a woman. It takes a great woman to be a good listener. How rare this is! I do not know if it used to be more common to […]

Lent began yesterday with the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of all who engage in the Ash Wednesday liturgy. Often, a reading from the Hebrew prophet, Joel, is read aloud in that service. Joel, trumpets God's call: “'Even now,' declares the Lord,'return to me with all your heart,with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Rend […]

I was curious about how many of us really listen. So, I checked the research. It is pretty shocking: 25% of us listen. Apparently, the rest of us just talk. This means, if you are out to dinner with another couple, three of you want to talk and only one of you is really listening. […]

I preached a sermon this past weekend on prayer. I shared this quote from monk David Steindl-Rast: “Prayer is waking up to the presence of God no matter where I am or what I am doing.” Isn't that lovely? So simple. All pressure removed to have some kind of formalized ritual or program. It brings […]