I get the Bible texts for our Sunday chapel services from a list that churches all over the world use.  As I was preparing for this Sunday, I created a file of the texts. I started reading to prepare for Sunday. I got nowhere. I could not make sense of the combination of texts from […]

Lent starts today. Some of you are leading groups who will be reading Lent for Non-Lent People. You may have people who ask, “How do I figure out what to give up?” Or you may be wondering yourself. A couple general ways to think: Simply ask yourself, “What helpful, beneficial action do I know would […]

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. I’m thinking about fasting from keeping things available. I know that sounds odd. Many people would respond, “Oh, you mean that you are going to put things away!” And it would be clear that they are neat people. But I don’t leave things out. I don’t intentionally […]

Some of my friends with spiritual interests anticipate Lent with a sense of gratitude. They are thankful for what they learn about themselves through the disciplines of giving up and of moving toward God. They appreciate the invitation to participate with others known as the Body of Christ. I have other friends who argue a […]

“What do you want to be true of you in five years?” It’s a question I often ask when I’m teaching groups. I let them know that the question is coming, to allow introverts time to reflect. The group separates into clusters of three or four people to share their answers. And then I have […]