Last time I wrote, I was personally feeling the sting from our US Presidential election results. I felt the sting from the people I loved who seemed to think that those of us hurting were overreacting and that we should get over it. I felt the sting of knowing that I should have done more…
Category: god
reparation: (noun) something that is done or given as a way or correcting a mistake that you have made or a bad situation that you have caused; origin: middle english, 14th century
Sermon writing is not my strong suit, but this is where Plato believes that practice at something can make you better. Preaching isn’t a virtue, but it is important. And with many great preachers to learn from in my own house, I’ve got some good examples. Below is the sermon I preached this evening for the…
list: (noun) a simple series of words or numerals; origin: germanic origin, first known use 1602
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…
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….
nighttime: (noun) the time of darkness between one day and the next; the time of day when no light form the sun can be seen; origin: 14th century
Sleep is something that has pervaded me for much of my life. Not by my choice, mind you. To know what it feels like to have no sleep when your body is desperately begging for it but refuses to give it to you is to know what it feels like to have your body betray…
thetravellingtheologian 