Between “back to school” and “holiday hectic”–a reprieve
My connecting flight (which I make by only 10 minutes) takes me over the Grand Canyon at sunset. I’m relieved to be on the plane, blown away by the beauty, and suddenly sad for the [...]
When good things end: some thoughts on The Practice
The only constant in life is change. This is particularly true in dynamic organizations like Willow Creek, the church I’ve been a member of for three decades. While I have remained at my church, it [...]
The surprising thing about Lent
How are you doing? Really? Yosemite National Park. (Photo by Melanie Kent) How’s the journey so far, Lenten pilgrim? Is Lent, and the practices you've chosen in this season, clearing the cobwebs? Spring [...]
Darkness that lets us see the light
Part of me did not want to go to church. Another part of me longed for it, in a shaky, hungry sort of way. The hunger won out. At The Practice, the gathering we attend [...]
Four alternatives to family devotions: family spiritual practices
Family devotions have often felt like an epic fail for us. When my children were small, my husband and I wanted to be what we thought were good Christian parents, so we read Bible stories [...]
Always Trust Your Story
“When you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention.” ----Frederick Beuchner Plowing through Facebook updates, I scroll quickly past political diatribe, cat meme, prayer requests from [...]
Making a spiritual discipline of Sabbath
What does a life of Sabbath Simplicity look like? The unfortunate stereotypes of constant leisure or contemplation don't come anywhere near my crazy working mom life. But I am committed to living a sanely-paced, God-focused [...]
Building endurance for a joyful adventure
My daughter and I plunge into the shallow flowing stream, walking sticks in hand. After a one mile walk up a relatively easy paved path, we reach the trail head for the Narrows, a canyon in [...]
Loving mercy
If someone wrongs you, the Bible clearly tells us: show mercy to them. Last week, during mid-week worship, we prayed the Lord's Prayer. Even though we used the version that says "forgive us our debts.." [...]
Saturday joys
Despite the rain, the Palatine Farmer’s Market is fairly busy this morning. In early summer, the offerings are sometimes slim, but this morning in late July, each table (carefully tented with makeshift tarps) is piled [...]