I love lists. They make me feel accomplished. When I create a list, it’s typically a “to do” list. Right now, on my phone are the following lists: Packing List Legal Documents Groceries Reminders Family General To Do There are also the random lists I keep on sticky notes in my office. Things like, “call…
Category: church
story: (noun) an account of incidents or events; a statement regarding the facts pertinent to a situation in question; origin: middle english from anglo-french, first known use 13th century
For the past week, I have attended a training put on by the Synods of Lincoln Trails and Mid America entitled “The Art of Transitional Ministry.” In short, it’s what most would traditionally call training to become an interim pastor. I was encouraged to attend by Jan. She’s good at getting me into things. She…
death: (noun) the end of life; the time when something dies; the permanent end of something that is not alive; origin: middle english; before 12th century
I need resurrection. I crave it. And because of that desperation for resurrection, I welcome death. Because without death, there is no resurrection. I’m not talking about my own death or the death of a loved one. I don’t want to think about not seeing those that I love ever again. That’s not the death…
equal: (adjective) the same in number, amount, degree, rank, or quality; not changing: the same for each person; origin: middle english; 14th century
One of the first things to pop up on my computer screen this morning was this article on USA’s Women Soccer Players who have filed a suit alleging unequal and discriminatory pay. Why did they do this? Simply, because they are women and they are being treated as lesser than. My wife and I were…
space: (noun) the amount of an area, room, surface, etc., that is empty or available for use; an area that is used or available for a specific purpose; origin: middle english, 14th century
My office is one of my spaces. I have several of them. There’s my apartment, my car, the booths at Chick-fil-A down the street from work, the member’s lounge at the Art Institute of Chicago, Creation Lab, and a few others that I like to drop into from time to time. But my office is…
certification: (noun) the act of making something official; official approval to do something professional or legally; origin: 15th century
I have been certified to do many things in my life. I’ve been certified as a lifeguard, as a challenge course instructor, as a babysitter in high school, in wilderness first aid, on ropes courses and climbing walls. Yesterday, I got a new certification: certified ready to receive a call. For those of you not…
sharing: (transitive verb) to partake of, use, experience, occupy, or enjoy with others; to have in common; origin: middle english, 14th century
When I headed out to NEXT last week, I had a bit of an awakening. Literally, an awakening from fake-sleeping. After finishing up with my CPM meeting that Monday morning, I headed towards Midway airport to make my way to the NEXT Church Conference in Atlanta, GA. Since Southwest is my air travel of choice,…
sandwich: (noun) two pieces of bread with something (such as meat, peanut butter, etc.) between them; origin: john montagu, 4th earl of sandwich, first known use 1762
I love food. I love food like I love Jesus: unconditionally and with all my being. I can’t live without either, because without them, I am left unfulfilled. Literally. I am one of those people who eats her feelings. Because I’m Southern and that’s what you do. I won’t speak for all Southerners, but the…
attention: (noun) the act or power of carefully thinking about, listening to, or watching someone or something; notice, interest, awareness; special care or treatment; origin: 14th century, middle english
I think I’m convinced: not everyone needs Lent. I hear what you’re saying, “you have to have Lent to get to Easter.” Well, sure you do. But not really. Because no matter what, Easter is coming, whether you like it or not. (And who doesn’t like Easter? Are you some sort of Easter-hating jerk?). Jesus…
koine: (noun) the greek language commonly spoken and written in eastern Mediterranean countries in the Hellenistic and Roman periods; origin: first known use, 1901
Last night, I found myself sitting up late into the night attempting to understand the Koine Greek translations that I had done when I was in the midst of my seminary education. Thinking back on my Hebrew and Greek classes, I remember them fondly. In fact, in my mind, I was quite good at them….
dinner: (noun) principal meal of the day; origin: 13th century, middle english
Last night, my wife and I went to our favorite restaurant for dinner before seeing what might have been the longest play in history. We always go to this restaurant before plays. It’s our tradition. Recently, they got a new chef. And the menu changed. It didn’t change that much, but enough that we noticed….
penny: (noun) a coin or a unit of money equal to 1/100 of a dollar; origin: before 12th century, middle english from old english
At yesterday’s Ash Wednesday service, in an old train station with twinkling lights, I got a penny and ashes. Did you know that the cosmos and everything that exists, all matter, all of it, at one point, could fit onto the eye of President Lincoln on a penny? I didn’t. But it did. And it…
thetravellingtheologian 