Strengthening Faith, Love, and Hope
Recently at Grace, I talked about a spiritual practice called the Examen, a reflective prayer built around two polar sensations: consolations and desolations. St. Ignatius of Loyola developed the prayer in the 1500s, and it has become a staple practice for people who love connecting with God through some of the more contemplative streams of … Continue reading Consolations and Desolations
Do you remember asking the question, often with an accompanying small, awkwardly sized card and a box of tasteless, sugar hearts? “Will you be my Valentine?” It’s a pretty vulnerable question to ask when you are in grade school and your heart is on your sleeve (I still remember the 4th grade when Dalene Whitney … Continue reading Will you be my Valentine?
"Read the red and pray for the power." These were the instructions that Dr. Fuchsia Pickett gave to our class when Jessica and I were in Bible school in the early 90s, and I think they are the perfect marching orders for each of us as we start a New Year together. Yesterday, Grace Church … Continue reading Read the red and pray for the power!
In response to challenges that answers to prayer are nothing more than coincidence, Bishop William Temple said, "When I pray coincidences happen, when I don't they don't." I certainly agree with the first half of Temple's response---coincidences definitely happen more frequently when I pray. But sometimes they also happen when I don't pray. Do you … Continue reading Luck is John Doe for God
“Hold your nose and hold your nose tighter.” That’s how some sociologists describe the game of American politics today. Even when people fervently support a particular nominee or political party they usually do so in spite of certain inconsistencies, flawed voting records, or general character issues or deficiencies. They support their candidate...mostly. This has probably … Continue reading Politics: Hold your nose and hold your nose tighter
