Breath of Life

We do it without even thinking about it. Somewhere between 12 and 16 times a minute, our chest contracts and then expands, and our lungs fill with air. The lungs extract oxygen, which our body uses to pump our blood, move our limbs, and power our thoughts. We do this over and over, from birth, … More Breath of Life

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 … More Ashes

Ashes on our Forehead

Every year, around 6 weeks before Easter, the Christian church celebrates Ash Wednesday.  This year, Ash Wednesday falls on March 6.  Tomorrow.  You will see people walking around with black smudges on their foreheads.  It is an ancient tradition that the church practices to mark the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a season when Christians … More Ashes on our Forehead

On Jesus’ List

To be honest, when I first heard that Ash Wednesday, 2018, was going to land on Valentine’s Day, it was a little startling.  There are, after all, some pretty distinct contrasts: Valentine’s Day is associated with the color pink.  Ash Wednesday?  With the color black. Valentine’s Day is associated with receiving the gifts of candy, … More On Jesus’ List

What is Ash Wednesday?

Q:  What do President Donald Trump, Beyonce, Jimmy Fallon, Rush Limbaugh, Queen Elizabeth, Pastor Dean and you all have in common? A:  Your humanity. Setting aside everything these people have accomplished, everything they’ve done and everything they have achieved, the thing we share is that we all walk this world.  We are physically made of … More What is Ash Wednesday?