Expulsion of the merchants from the temple mosaic. 12th and 13th centuries. Monreale Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily, Italy. “For zeal for your house has consumed me.” Psalm 69:9 I noticed something about my own habits lately on Instagram. In many of my posts, I am consuming something. A pizza crust, a gas station soft drink; big … Continue reading Consumerism, Etc.
Yesterday was the twentieth of December; five days until Christmas. The day before, I spent almost six hours in my office at Dordt; most of them dedicated to grading papers and then posting grades for the two sections of a class that I taught this fall. When I got home, I scarfed down some doctored-up … Continue reading A Day at Home
'Madonna and Child,' collage mosaic. Catherine Putnam-Netto Advent is probably my favorite season of the whole church calendar. Within this liturgical season, the third Sunday is my absolute favorite. I used to love the segment on Sesame Street when I was a child that began with the jingle, “One of these things is not like … Continue reading Waiting for a Baby
When I was a youth and children’s ministry coordinator in North Kansas City, I worked for an incredible woman; the Rev. Katherine “Kate” McClain. Over a decade ago, Pastor Kate introduced me to the lesser-known holiday tradition of “The Advent Buzzard.” According to what she told me (I had never heard this before), the tradition … Continue reading Buzzard Blessings
Ever since I watched her NPR tiny desk concert, I’ve been annoyed with Taylor Swift. And I love Tiny Desk concerts. Artists known and obscure agree to perform a small set of songs in the corner of a national public radio office; literally, behind a ‘tiny desk.’ Beirut, H.E.R., Death Cab for Cutie, Kishi Bashi, … Continue reading Taylor Swift and Total Depravity
While driving, I tend to get ruminative; I practically grind my teeth with analysis. I put on sad or overly emotional songs. When I’m in my right mind, the playlist includes my favorite hymns. But all of this is disrupted when an excited, youthful voice from the backseat of the vehicle yells: “EPIC HILLS!” Likewise, … Continue reading “EPIC HILLS!”
Some Thoughts on Wisdom We were wandering the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Sioux Falls when John kindly proclaimed, “I want to get you something poetic for your birthday.” I was flattered, though not hopeful, that the corporate bookseller would have anything I wanted, but I was wrong. I hunkered down in the café with … Continue reading Hallelujah!
When I was a young community college student, one of the first classes I took was “Introduction to Women’s Studies.” I don’t remember the exact titles of what we read and discussed, but I remember loving all of it. I kept the textbook for years - an anthology of women writers - even though it … Continue reading Women’s Studies
Lately, due to extreme temperatures in Iowa, my family and I have been spending time indoors streaming old episodes of Highway to Heaven. If you aren’t familiar, it’s a fun miniseries from the mid-eighties written by Michael Landon. Landon plays an angel in disguise who rolls into town, engages in people’s troubled lives, fixes things … Continue reading Waste Your Time
Years ago, John and I discovered a cinematic gem, Franco Zeffirelli’s 1972 Brother Sun, Sister Moon. It tells the story of St. Francis of Assisi while also revealing the zeitgeist of its time - the soundtrack is almost exclusively sung by Donovan. Just imagine the dreamy vocals of ‘Mellow Yellow’ or ‘Hurdy Gurdy Man,’ but … Continue reading Revolutions
The Cafe in My Head 