300 words a day

God. We want you to tell us what to do. We want it as clear as a contract. If we do this, you will do that.If we eat this and abstain from that, you will do what we ask.If we vote this way or support that one, you will make us great.If we buy this or […]

In the old days, when I was a pastor, a big part of my job was giving people permission. Not in the sense that I held the keys and made the rules. Not in the sense of making people raise their hands and ask permission. More in the sense that people would describe what they […]

I’m writing a course. I’ve told you that before. It’s a course in pastoral care. We’re going to be talking about being helpful in all kinds of situations. But we’re starting with theology. Not in a stuffy academic sense. But in the sense of how our understanding of God and us and each other and […]

Rich keeps going: +++ Wonderful weather blessed most of Rich’s Ride, but the morning after Monte’s outreach we awoke to the most miserable weather of the entire trip. Low-forties temperatures, wind, rain, sleet – at home, such conditions are a prescription for a warm fire and another cup of hot coffee. Becky advised waiting, but […]

What if, when we obey the thing that God tells us to do — love, forgive, talk about, share — we prayed and then we were ready to move. Rather than sitting back and waiting for God to move us, or to show us not to move, we were ready to walk out the door, […]