The Day of the Lord

Beware, the day of the Lord. On that day, power lines will snap, the exploited import empire’s shelves will be ravaged and all our smart phones rendered dumb.   Beware, the day of the Lord draws near! Soon every valley will flood and the mountains will crumble beneath Gehenna’s landfills. Global money hoarders from every …

What Do You Want

Four words that tower over me like Nordic men or Chicago skyscrapers.   You mean, like, right now?   I mean, maybe to weigh five pounds less while enjoying an IPA in a chilled glass. Oh, and a book contract. For starts.   But, no. I misheard.   You mean, like, vocation, vision; Life goals …

Songs & Memory

Sometimes when you work in a church you don’t always “worship.” It can be hard to be fully present during corporate gatherings when we recite prayers, herald the Word, pass the peace and break bread together. Partly because when you’re in charge of those things you can’t always receive them. And then, for me, this …

The Brick in the Toilet (Some Thoughts on Systemic Sin)

Early in the week, I was reminded of, and felt compelled to write about, the reality of “systemic sin.” Why this week? Last weekend I participated in a spoken word event and heard mostly poets of color telling their stories of prejudicial treatment they’ve endured. Also, last weekend, I heard author and activist Austin Channing …

#legitleaving

I’ve known it was coming for a while now – my friend, and partner in crime (if the crime is blogging), Stephanie Haskins is moving… in less than a month. I’ve known it’s been coming ever since late summer when the church in Connecticut extended the call. Truth is, I’ve known it for almost a …

Blogging my Birthday Playlist

Yesterday John spoiled me pretty good, treating me to some of my favorite things, for “birthday weekend.” We went to Buffalo Shores, a “beachy” spot on the Mississippi, dined at Ms. Mamie’s in Moline and then I was the DJ for our basement dance party. After the kids went to bed John said, “We can …

Regarding the Moon, and Other Celestial Bodies

  By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. Psalm 33:6 Last week I discovered a feature on Instagram that perhaps most twelve-year-olds have known for months. You can post an image, or video, in your “story” with a sticker that invites questions. A …