on the Pilgrimage

Peace.  I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. (John 14:27) This week I got into a few discussions where words are used in ways that are a derivative of the person, defined or manipulated by the person using the word, and not from the definition of the word itself. In the process of an exchange, I realized that if we all have different meanings to words, then when we use them, the intended communication has a very great likelihood of going off the rails. What he was trying to tell me was not getting through; and vice versa. This week, the meaning of words has become very crucial to imparting one thought to another. Truly, without a common definition or understanding of the meaning of the word, there simply can be no communication. This...

For many years, throughout the past, I have come to this space to remember the Advent Season. To reminisce and to remind myself of what this all means. Over the past year, I have worked on a series I called "Wrestling with God", and - I admit - many things fell through. Even though I hope to continue it, at this time, I put a pause on it. The year has been full of ups and downs, and over the journey, I've had to set many things aside. More often, things for me have taken a backseat and things for others have taken priority. It's my intention that, for the next four weeks, I can make this  a priority. To come to this space, and spend some time connecting with my Christian ancestors. To breathe and listen to Christmas music, to just be for a little bit.  I'm not sure how long it's been, but I know many Advent entries in the past have been because of messages I've heard on that day. And, in a similar way, today is no different. I took the time to listen to P...

For the entries over this weekend, I will take a break from my Wrestling with God series (WWG) to do my own personal examination and reflection of the significance of these days to humanity.  Now, to begin, I come from a decidedly Christian background.  And, the foundation of what I believe today has its roots in a form of Christianity. I was born into a Christian (Lutheran) family, my relations on both sides go back as practicing Christians for centuries, I was baptized in Lutheran theology, graduated from a Lutheran university, and have a personal obsession with learning about theology and different belief systems. I have learned a bit more from various external sources than the average pew-bench warmer; yet, I am certain that I still have much to learn. "The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know!" < a life mantra of mine!   What that means, for me, is that my belief - if I claim the identity of a Christian - needs to be founded and grounded i...

  “What do you want to be when you grow up?” When do you hear these words? When do you ask this question?   What was your answer when you were asked this question? This is something that is often asked of a young child – someone who might not yet be in school, or maybe has barely begun school. Answers are often along the lines of ‘a doctor’ or ‘a nurse’ or ‘a teacher’. Traditional, stereotypical roles. If you ask a child who’s a little older, you might get different answers – like, a girl saying she wants to be a scientist or a pilot or a boy saying he wants to be a fashion designer or a kindergarten teacher. These a wonderful, lovely answers! They are not as traditional and show the development of creativity. These children are beginning to embrace who they are and what they instinctively know about themselves. Have you ever thought about what your answers were when you were young? What that might have said about you and your developing identity? I was pondering this th...

The Vitruvian Man  flame pours forth  from fingers and toes  from head and heart  from mouth and ears and eyes  Pneuma embraces  God infuses  i have been here  before all began  when my fears overwhelm  and cacophony drowns Your presence  i am reminded:  i am neither lost nor alone  i am Your servant  the flame says:  breathe  be silent and listen  be still and know go forth  not my will  but Thine  be done.