GodSpace for Groups!
I'm super excited to let you know that the long, careful writing and editing process for GodSpace:Embracing the Inconvenient Adventure of Intimacy with God is finished! This baby goes to the printer today. The editing [...]
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 [...]
Broken bread, burning hearts
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. [...]
The “crisis” in the blogosphere
According to Christianity Today, as a spiritual blogger, speaker and author, I’m part of a “crisis in the church.” I agree there's a crisis, but I disagree on what exactly that crisis entails. Me, [...]
What the first Passover teaches us about worship
Chag Pesach Sameach! Happy Passover! Passover begins today. On this annual festival, the Jewish people celebrate their emancipation from the slavery of Egypt. While Christians don't typically celebrate Passover, later this week, on Good [...]
Your nativity scene might be wrong–but that’s good news
When my daughter was very small, she was obsessed with our neighbor's outdoor nativity scene. Maybe it was the child-sized figures of Mary and the shepherds, or the stories about Jesus she'd heard at church. [...]
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 [...]
Do not be afraid…
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.” ---Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words: Daily Readings in the ABC's of Faith In the Bible, the command repeated most frequently is “Fear not.” [...]
The Repercussions of Neglect
The timing of a recent trip was perfect, and imperfect. I left feeling weary, overwhelmed by nasty weather and too much work, my Midwestern world persistently clinging to winter. Everything was brown and soggy, buds [...]
Deeply Loved Lenten tour
A reflective season, Lent begins next week, on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 13). Some of us avoid it, not wanting to give up anything--as if that were all it's about. While Lent is a time of [...]