November 2011 – Page 4 – 300 words a day

Almighty.

(Part four of the Creed series) We like to know powerful people. We like people who can get things done. We like connections. We like to know who to call. When the water heater was leaking and I was out of town, I was glad I could call Tom. When I couldn’t understand financial stuff, […]

by Paul Merrill

Rest. Pray. Talk.

Three teenage young men are excitedly discussing music videos and life in the next room. I’m glad for the extreme enthusiasm flowing through the doorway. Sometimes I am a tired parent. That youthful enthusiasm rises to the surface fewer times than it did in my earlier years. So it’s nice to be surrounded by that! […]

by Jon Swanson

the Father

One time when I was in junior high, I was having a hard time praying. Not because there was anything particularly wrong. Just because I couldn’t get started. I couldn’t talk. One night, as I laid in bed, I thought, “Okay. It’s cliche, but just say the Lord’s prayer. And think about it.” So I […]

by Jon Swanson

God.

We just get started in talking about creeds. We start with talking about believing. And maybe we’re willing to take that tentative step in a swirl of distrust and uncertainty. We are willing to say “I believe.” And immediately, options get narrower. Because when you believe, you have to start identifying what you believe. And […]

by Jon Swanson

Sometimes I don’t

Creeds start with “I believe.” Sometimes they start with “We believe.” Never with “You believe.” I mention creeds because I decided to spend November looking at an early form of the Apostles Creed, one from sometime before 341. I didn’t grow up with a creed. When we visited my grandparents, we read the Apostles Creed. […]