Tag: Lent
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Naming the Shadow
There is something unsettling about shadows. When I was growing up, our home on Oakland Avenue in south Minneapolis had a streetlight in front of it. The light would shine directly into my bedroom. And I remember sometimes waking up in the middle of the night, to see shadowy shapes on my wall. It might have been…
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When Time Slows Down
The older I get; the faster time seems to move. Does it work that way for you? I mean really…today is Ash Wednesday, it’s already the beginning of Lent. Didn’t we just celebrate Christmas a couple of weeks ago? It sure feels that way. It makes sense when you think about it. When I was 10 years old, a year? It…
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The Love We Don’t Deserve
In the spring of 1995, major and minor league baseball players were on strike over the salary cap and collective bargaining. But team owners were determined…they were going to have a baseball season, strike or no strike! So, they threw open the gates, and invited pretty much anybody who knew how to scoop up a grounder…
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We Want to See Jesus
I think that one of the most profound phrases in all the scriptures can be found in our Gospel reading today. It is six, simple words: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” It is a humble, respectful request, made to the disciples by a group of travelers, people of Greek origin, who have apparently come a…
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Don’t Skip the Previews
Lori and I love going to the movies. There is something fun about heading to the theater, and getting a bag of popcorn, and settling in to a really, really good story. And I’ve got to tell you, once the theaters put those recliners in, you know, the ones with the heated seats…I’m pretty sure I could…
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40 Days
In the late 1800’s, the Union Pacific Railroad was being built. Rail tracks were being laid across the whole country to connect passengers and goods from coast to coast. It was a massive construction project. As a section of track in the western United States was being laid, the construction team came to a large canyon. It…
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To Tell the Truth
In my younger days, I would take youth groups out on cross-country trips to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. On the night before we left, we would always gather with families for a short worship service. And at that worship, we would give every young person who was going a small cross, on a leather lanyard.…
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There is a Story
One of my favorite kinds of trees is the Jack Pine. There is nothing particularly special about the Jack Pine, except that it grows in the forests of the northern tier of our state. Jack Pines are about as common as you can get. They are not particularly regal or majestic trees. They can grow…
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How Much Longer?
Growing up, our family would occasionally road trip. Sometimes it was to visit the grandparents. Other times it was to spend a few days at a lake somewhere, trying (and failing) to catch fish. Wherever we were headed, once my brothers and I were loaded into the far back seat of our family station wagon…
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Ashes
I love almost everything about bonfires. I love the warmth that a bonfire gives. I love the color of the flames. I love the smell of the burning firewood. I love the crackling sound the fire makes. I love when the marshmallow blends over the chocolate in the s’more. I love the good conversations that…