I am in a time of transition. It is exhausting. It is incredibly exhilarating. Transitions to me are like the sublime. When you put in the word sublime into the merriam-webster.com site, it gives you a scientific definition. I’m not talking science. (Well, maybe I am, but not knowingly.) I’m talking about the sublime. So,…
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repetition: something that is done or said again; the act of repeating something; origin: middle english, 15th century
I hate repeating myself. I am exhausted of others repeating themselves. I am over hearing the same thing about the church over and over. And over. The church is changing. The church will not look like the church from the previous generations. The church is going to look different. These are facts. For many, they…
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…
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….
wednesday: (adverb) the day of the week between tuesday and thursday; origin: middle english
Today is Ash Wednesday. I haven’t gone to an Ash Wednesday service in several years. Which, lots of people find shocking considering that I work for quite a large church with lots of services. I haven’t gone because finding a balance between working for the church and being part of the church has been almost…
hurt: (verb) to inflict with physical pain; to do substantial or material harm to; to cause emotional pain or anguish to; to suffer pain or grief; origin: 13th century, middle english
About 2 months ago, I found myself sitting in a community center in a meeting room, at a table with about 10 other people, talking about my faith story and some of my experiences. As I came to a particular part of my story, I found my throat closing up, my eyes becoming blurred, and…
urban: (adjective) of, relating to, designating a city or town; living in a city; origin: 1610-1620, latin
It’s lovely. Just lovely. And I would be happy to never set foot in it again. There. I said it. I hate living in Chicago. Maybe hate is too strong of a word. I seriously dislike living in Chicago. Now, I did not say I hated Chicago. I love Chicago. (Notice the emphasis with the bold…
progressive: (adjective) moving forward; happening or developing gradually over a period of time; using or interested in new modern ideas; origin: first known use of progressive: circa 1612
For the last three days I have been attending the Progressive Youth Ministry Conference held at Fourth Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago, IL. As the inaugural event there were highs and lows. First off, let me be clear, no conference is perfect. What is important about a conference is that it helps bring about change…
word: (noun) something that is said; a brief remark or conversation, something that a person says; origin: (before 12th century) middle english, from old english
Today is a word dump day. “What’s a word dump?” you ask. A word dump is where you just let it all out, whatever it is. It’s a practice that my 12th grade english teach taught us to get us to write or a way to break through our writer’s block. I debated just doing…
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