“We have become those people.” This is what I said to my wife at 12:45am this morning after being woken up by our neighbors downstairs playing music. She stood there in her PJ’s, asking me if I wanted her not to go say something. I debated. I actually debated about letting her kindly ask them…
peace: (noun) a state of tranquility or quite, a state in which there is no war or fighting; origin: middle english, 12th century
Apparently, today is the International Day of Peace. I learned this on the facebook, as I learn about most other random holidays and special days. Upon a quick google search, it turns out the IDP was created by the United Nations as a day dedicated to world peace. Funny, it doesn’t feel especially peaceful today….
proactive: (adjective) controlling a situation by making things happen or by preparing for future problems; origin: 1993
Tonight, I’m starting a new practice. I’m practicing being proactive. Long gone are the days of being much younger when things fell into my lap. Competition is getting stiffer. And younger. Seriously, younger than me. And I’m not old. I’m just older than a lot of other people looking for first calls! I spend atleast 20…
endurance: (noun) the ability to deal with pair or suffering that continues for a long time; origin: 15th century
This morning, my wife and I had a discussion about the law. This is not abnormal. We often like to joke that she deals with human’s law and I deal with God’s law. And, since we often drive to work together in the mornings, we typically talk about whatever we are working on. For her,…
1 peter 2:1-10
1 Peter 2:1-10 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet…
1 corinthians 12:4-11
1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. A word of wisdom is…
dove: (noun) any bird of the family columbidae; a symbol for the holy spirit; origin: 1150-1200; middle english
The dove. This amazing bird is known by pretty much everyone. If you ask a Christian what they are, they will likely say that they are sign of peace or a sign of the Holy Spirit. But I wonder if they also know that the dove is also a bird that will fight until its…
space: (noun) the amount of area, room, surface, etc., that is available for use; origin: middle english, first known use 14th century
I got stood up this morning. Now, I got a lovely, quiet breakfast to myself with my favorite strawberry jam, but I still got stood up. It’s a strange occurrence that emotionally takes you back to high school for a minute or two. I get stood up more than most in my line of work….
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…
the sublime (philosophical): the term especially refers to a greatness beyond all possibility of calculation, measurement, or imitation
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,…
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…
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…
thetravellingtheologian 