When teaching a session on missional church at, say, Generous Orthodoxy East, avoid using the term “goddess.” As in: I can’t wait to go to the Solstice Feast this Winter because I’m going to get to be a blessing goddess.

This does not go over well.

At least one person is bound to be slightly shaky with concern. “Would you actually be a goddess? Would people understand that the blessing was coming from GOD or would they think it was coming from a goddess? Aren’t you worried about misrepresenting yourself? ”

It will be very difficult to extricate yourself from this situation, and you will most likely not realize in time that all you really need to do is clarify your … {read more…}

I have a wonderful new friend, named Souren. Souren is fifteen years old and lives on the corner of my street. I have to wait by his house to pick up the kids from the school bus. All the women in my family have rapidly fallen in love with Souren, and now he’ll sometimes stand in the doorway at 3:15 and just wait for two little blondes to come running up to him for a giant elementary-aged tackle hug.

Souren teaches me lots of things. What high school is like these days. How to get to level six in German video games involving trolls. What it means to be kind to little girls who pester you all day long. … {read more…}

Every once in awhile I get an email from some one who is feeling that old postmodern itch on the top of their nose. These folks are very sincere, and want to make good choice…but damn it, the old church that they used to love is just not working any more and they don’t know what to do! It’s a pretty scary place. Believe me, I can still call up the emotions that surrounded my own multi-year journey. I’d really like to be a help to people along the way…I only wish it didn’t take some much time between the experiencing of the thing and the understanding of the thing, don’t you?

Anyway, I just dashed off this email to … {read more…}

The Passage: Hebrews 7:23-28

Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.

So now we have a high priest who perfectly fits our needs: completely holy, uncompromised by sin, with authority extending as high as God’s presence in heaven itself. Unlike the other high priests, he doesn’t have to offer sacrifices for his own sins everyday before he can get around to us and our sins. He’s done it, once and for … {read more…}

I just went and looked at some office space in a building near my home. It’s in an old schoolhouse called the Wallingford Center. It’s a small space with no natural light, but it has big windows and doors opening into the interior courtyard, and enough room for an office and some classroom/studio space. It’s been empty six months. I have no idea what the leasing price is, but I called the agent and left a message.

It would be nice, wouldn’t it, to have a place to teach classes on art journaling for the soul? A place to see my friends play music while people ate my neighbor’s chocolates. A place for Helene to offer dance lessons, and for … {read more…}

The Passage:

When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like ones who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said amongst the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. The one who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves.

Plsam 126, NIV, adjusted for gender inclusive language.

And now God, do it again … {read more…}

“So after we had a few margaritas, we went to Taize. And I have to tell you, I started to understand why people in the 70’s people were convinced you could connect with the transcendent better if you were a little bit high. ….. Oh my gosh! I can’t believe I just said that! I’m such a bad pastor!”

(Laughing) “That’s why we like you! We wouldn’t be here otherwise!”

The Passage:

This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remanent of Israel.’ See I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them for the ends of the earth. Among them wil lbe the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them besides streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, beacuse I … {read more…}

The Passage:

I bless God every chance I get: my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy: join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out. God met me more than half way, he freed me from my anxious fears. Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God’s angels set a circle of protection around us while we pray. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see — how … {read more…}

I have been “fasting” an hour a day for Ramadan. I spend my newfound hour honoring the word, and expressing thanksgiving for it’s revelation. It’s a long way from what my friend-of-a-friend Andy describes as “the Christian who bows down to the Muslim’s feet, the Muslim who bows down to the Christian’s feet,” but it’s a start.

I took a trip recently, and that made it hard to keep up with the collage work. (Too many supplies to carry with me.) I’m determined to keep on keeping on until I hit 30 pieces, even if it’s not 30 days. Muslims often add a day to thier 30 day fast … {read more…}