i am not really stuck here. i just don’t realize it.

I spent three years learning from Eugene Peterson. I mention it loudly and often, not because I’m bragging (but, you know, neener neener neener), but because he was so incredibly formative to me. He was translating the Bible at the time and he would give us bits and pieces of the Message – sort of using us as a dry run for bits of the Psalms, John 1, stuff like that. (My friend Wendy, who is a Wycliffe Bible Translator, says she’s heard experienced translators say that the Message is the best translation of John 1. Neat, eh? Something we like has academic clout!) Eugene gave me a framework for pastoring long before I even knew I wanted … {read more…}

I have been struck with a sudden and difficult bout of depression. My council of wise women says that I am sad, and that I am stuck. Karen tells me to embrace the light. (Seems like I’ve heard that somewhere before…what’s that saying about taking your own medicine?) Okay, I’ll try that.

Embrace the Light….

1) Five busy women took the time to read my long email and write me long ones back…right away…with pictures!

2) Alanis Morrisette wrote this: (listen here)

how ‘bout me not blaming you for everything
how ‘bout me enjoying the moment for once
how ‘bout how good it feels to finally forgive you
how’ bout grieving it all one at a time

how ‘bout no longer being masochistic
how ‘bout remembering … {read more…}

The four-year-old is on the front porch right now, shouting at the top of her lungs:

“Chocolate is the whole world!”

We just got back from Vandewater Books, and in exchange for obedience while I browsed the shelves, the children were given two way-too-big-for-a-kid milkshakes from Dick’s Drive-In. Thus the gleeful front porch hyperbole.

Vandewater’s is one of my favorite book stores. First, it is right up the street from my house. Second it has parking. (Sort of. You have to risk getting towed in the shared QFC/Hollywood Video parking lot, but it’s a pretty safe bet you’ll be okay.) Third, it has Marla, one of the nicest used books shop folks in the world. She knows her stock. She … {read more…}

Where did you most experience God/Light this week?

The skyscrapers – actual skyscrapers! – are sprouting upward all around us. Nearly every one of them is adorned with some Gotham-esque ornament, or an outrageously large public art installation, or some impossibly high sleek surface. It’s sunny, but not hot, an amazing feat for Chicago in July. We are walking through my husband’s old haunts, hand-in-hand with our children. To Portillos we go, for Chicago-style hot dogs with Mr. Jim! After a week with family (who loves us, but doesn’t always understand us) we are with a friend who speaks our language, and we are all, all five of us, giddy to be in this city (which we love but our … {read more…}

There’s been a nice long conversation going on in the comments down here. It started as an attempt to find out whether or not (or how) we were supposed to “be like Jesus.” Of course, as lengthy conversations are wont to do, it’s now touching on a bunch of topics including: identity, community, and free will.

There’s some really good stuff down there, including this insightful quote from Lindell, who, as I have said before, is friggin’ brilliant.

But God also needs space to be God. He needs to be able to express himself and he needs us to support him as he lives out his own potential. Or in Christianese, God needs humanity to support his … {read more…}

Eric Keck emailed me today with this in the message line: Get cho ass blogging again woman.

Right. Okay, I needed that. Here it goes.

A few weeks ago we did this at ThPM for “church.”

I had been telling the crew that we were finally going to get serious about consistently doing the ignatian examen, or at least our version of it which I call the examen of light. (Couldn’t dare to do things the standard way now could we? Having made a pet of the anti-conformity bunny and all…) Anyhoo, I was all ready to do the examen, had these pretty floating candle thingies and everything, when my friend Heather talked me … {read more…}

the luggage has returned!!! Thanks for all the petitions and prayers! And Bobbie, thanks you for the cake reciepe. That was really thoughtful!

While I was moping around today about my luggage, I posted some pictures of the Solstice Parade. “Parade Joy” cheered me up considerably. Fiona Morrsion really got some good shots! To see all of them go to our Gallery and look under photography.

Well, we made it to the family reunion in Chicago but our bags didn’t. More specifically, the big suitcase with all my clothes and all Paul’s clothes didn’t make it. It’s been 24hours….when do you give up hope?

I usually like some little project to do while I’m here (there’s often down time) so I brought my “keep” box and my scrapbook. So if my luggage doesn’t show up I’ve lost all my little momento since 2000. The first mother’s day card Eden made me…all the birthday cards from my v. important 30th birthday…our 10th Anniversary cards…the little prayer card that we sang our dinner prayer off of with our first home group…momentos from Cate’s dedication ceremony…

Oh, and it’s Eden’s birthday … {read more…}

Jen is helping me think about following tinkerbell when she’s had too much sugar. If you’re still wondering, like I am, about following and leading in this brave new world check, out Jen’s latest post here. I loved all of it, but here’s the part I liked the most…

what if the formula is this: be confused, invite someone along, discover god is everywhere…by accident?