Easter Reflection: Garden of Resurrection (Mark 16:2, 6)

“And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. . .But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid

Ordinary Friday? (A Poem for Holy Week)

Was it an ordinary Friday for some? Chores and meal prep? Betime stories and prayers? A typical Passover Maybe someone birthing a baby Some burying and grieving their dead Did they know? Were they caught up with the crush And rush of what’s happening to Jesus? What about those on the edges? In the country?

Maundy Thursday: Loving One Another (Seder Meal +Footwashing)

Today the church honors Maundy Thursday.  The word maundy is from the Latin word for command. And this is a time when we focus on Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you,” by sharing a meal together and washing each others’ feet as modeled by Jesus in John 13.  Many churches

Lent Reflection: Prayer of Restoration (Philippians 2: 9-11)

“Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:

Lent Reflection: My Confession (Philippians 2: 5-8)

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,  he humbled himself

Practice of Joy: Imagery of a Restless Wind (Numbers 21:4)

“…but the people became impatient on the way.”  Numbers 21:4 March is an unpredictable month in the Shenandoah Valley.  Sometimes our largest winter storms arrive, other times there are days that sing of spring.  Sometimes the beautiful spring days are followed by renewed cold and we become impatient for warmer weather!  Often with these rapid

Snakes in the Wilderness: Complaint, Impatience + the Long Way Home

“…but the people became impatient on the way.”  Numbers 21:4 Some of us are weary of the wandering by now. While we’re beyond the halfway point in our lenten journey, we’re ready for spring, and a season of joy. We want to experience change realized.   The season of Lent leads us through a faux wilderness

Lenten Practice of Joy: Meditation of the Heart (Psalm 19)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,  O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. -Psalm 19:14 The adage, “What you feed grows,” applies to our minds as much as to our gardens.  The psalmist offers with hope that the words spoken and thoughts carried in his

Lent Reflection: Star Gazing (Psalm 19)

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2 At the end of summer, or maybe really the middle of fall, my son and I dragged our rather large air mattress out onto the front porch

Lenten Practice of Joy: Signs of Hope (Romans 4:18)

“Hoping against hope…” –Romans 4:18 After ten minutes of trial and error we were finally connected via zoom. While not preferable, it was the safest option for meeting. A stretch of cold, more than normal wintery precipitation, and the ongoing isolation and limits, we were all of a bit stir crazy.  “On my way back