Did you know that the only story shared in ALL FOUR GOSPELS (besides the resurrection) is the miracle of the loaves and fishes? That time Jesus sat down, broke bread with thanksgiving, and passed around the meager offering of five loaves and two fish (from a child, in one telling). These gifts surely were plainly and physically and tangibly and measurably NOT enough to feed the present masses of thousands of tired hungry people. And yet… they were satisfied and had leftovers. Twelve whole baskets. Whatever happened that day to achieve this, it is a lesson in reality. That is, it is a lesson ab ..read more

Those are the opening lines of a hymn in our hymnal we’ve not sung in my memory of recent years, though its inviting tune seems familiar.  TAKE A LISTEN  AT THIS LINK. Thanks to Isaac Rhea, who will be accompanying us Sunday, for calling this lovely piece to my attention so we can share it this week. Perfect for the themes we’re meditating on this month, it also takes me to these places: What does it mean, really, to follow Jesus in our divided and challenging day? What does that mean to you?  For me, I’m grappling daily and in more explicit ways than ever on the question ..read more

I’m very grateful to be a part of a visionary team convened by Floyd Rueger for the planning of “Strangers No More,” an ecumenical celebration of unity (affirmed by Christian tradition as the miracle of Christ at work in us!).  The event will be held on January 28 at 3pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5106 N. Lacrosse, with a simple reception to follow. The title “Strangers No More” (inspired by Ephesians and one of the songs we’ll use) was selected as the title of event,  which is not designed to be a second church service of the day but more like a “Gathering for Songs, Read ..read more

I am so grateful that I recently moved some self-care inertia and started meeting a long-time goal — swimming in Lake Michigan as often as possible while the weather holds.  I’ve really been enjoying my early morning trips to Montrose Beach.  This morning the water was exquisitely warm but, alas, it was also very very choppy!  Today I was not so much swimming as getting tossed around by the waves!  My exercise was more about the core exercises needed to regain balance, steady myself briefly, and then allow the wave to pass over me or move me along a bit.  I even got to ..read more

I don’t put “truth” in quotations to be squishy; I actually believe in objective truth, the current Reality that IS for you and me and all.  And, the Truth about God’s judgement (executed by grace) and the world-changing impact of Jesus Christ (executed by forgiveness and reconciliation) through the one true church (all of those assembling to ground themselves in and grow in such abundant life). I do put “truth” in quotations because -as many of us know – some of the ideas we have inherited about what is true about ourselves and God and the world turn out to be human prejudices or misperc ..read more

Yes, that’s a root meaning of “worship.”  So, as we gather on Sundays (or any other time) we are choosing to trust what is worthy. To seek what is worthy.  God’s grace and truth known in Jesus Christ. Time well-spent in “good company” (not perfect) for silence, contemplation, music (energy medicine, some would say:), learning, sharing and serving.  Preserving a space of beauty and history for the sake of growth in fruits of the Spirit. Learning from the testimonies of the past in a discerning and present-oriented way. “Think on these things,” Paul would say in Philippi ..read more

We set “The Lord’s Table” week by week by week.  One way we do it… We open the church on Sundays (Zoom too), claim aloud His name and His intentions for us, sing and pray and read and share.  We gather around in the physical space, we create space to receive and give together with an awareness that it is GOD’S BANQUET we’re attending.  We tend in many ways the physical structures of our precious building while remembering our worshipful purposes in all things.  On the first Sundays we’re mindful and go deeper as we set aside the time to come closer to the literal table, to ..read more

Yes. I’m saying THAT again.  On the other side of our trip to North Dakota and too few days with grieving family, it’s on my mind.  For the long challenging road of pain and testing my family will face, it’s on my mind.  For the regrets I carry about my past emotional distance from family- and convictions to make the present and future different – it’s on my mind.  In gratitude for you all, and your prayers and tender support, it’s on my mind. This core growth value of relationships is embedded in everything we’re prioritizing in our season of revitalization: intergeneratio ..read more

The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,    and saves the crushed in spirit. This is the Truth when there are no answers: God is close. God will sustain. As we learn to allow this sustaining, to sense it, our spirit will indeed be safeguarded. We’ll note when we are learning it, but (thank God!) God’s peace and grace don’t rely on us to master them. God is always in the holding, in the fray, in the emptiness. This journey of learning is not smooth or easy; there’s no formula that serves a diverse humanity equally well. Yet, the miracle of Life proclaims that we have bee ..read more

These are wrenching times.  From our limited human perspective, it may seem sometimes like an unraveling around us, a spiraling of division and decay.  Many evidence of people being, apparently, their worst selves.  Perhaps there’s some greater unveiling or humbling at work.  Perhaps not. Perhaps that depends on us. These are beautiful times.   Graduations, reunions, picnics, vacations, neighbors trying to figure out how to be their best selves. Many in our church family are tired and yet present, honest and faithful.    Our story from Acts 6 this week w ..read more