For Lent one year I wrote a series of dramatic monologues featuring a scribe, a woman in the crowd, Pontius Pilate (the governor who had sentenced Jesus to death), and Simon Peter (one of Jesus' closest disciples). Each reflected on the choices they had made concerning Jesus, what led to their choice, and what if … Continue reading New Day, New Choices
When I first started blogging, I ended each post with a writing/reflection prompt, and continued that practice over the years. Most of the writing prompts were questions based on a particular blog post, but sometimes I would include a suggested writing exercise: What helps you rest from your work? Are your neighbours strangers, acquaintances, or … Continue reading Prompts to Get You Writing
Have you ever received a star word? Some churches celebrate Epiphany by passing out stars with printed words to everyone in the congregation. Each star word is different---"delight," "compassion," "giving," or some other word that's meant to be a surprising and beautiful gift to ponder and carry into the new year. Just as the star … Continue reading A Promise of Healing, Freedom, and Joy
This week I received a free calendar in the mail along with this note: I've never once felt the need to urge you to throw away something I sent you. But this year, PLEASE, throw away your 2020 calendar. Let's do our part to put this year behind us. In many ways it's been a … Continue reading The Top 10 of 2020 from April Yamasaki
When my husband was in the hospital, he would sometimes refer to it as a "hotel." After all, he had breakfast in bed every morning and a call bell to ring for whatever he might need day or night. At other times he would refer to it as a "prison." He couldn't leave when he … Continue reading We Wait for God
In the midst of great distress, some say that they no longer want "thoughts and prayers." In the face of tragedy, these words may come across as an automatic reflex offering little comfort or real empathy. They may seem a weak substitute for the concrete action needed to address pressing problems. As one mother whose … Continue reading We Need Your Positive Thoughts and Prayers
Twelve days ago my husband had a medical emergency, and while he does feel better now, he is still in the hospital hooked up to various medical things, waiting for more tests and next steps. Any medical emergency is hard, and even harder in a pandemic. In our case, COVID-19 protocols kept us from seeing … Continue reading Make Haste to Help Us, O God
When I read Scripture, I much prefer reading off the printed page from a Bible that I can hold in my hands, feel the weight, finger the pages, and take my time. But when I'm online and want to quote Scripture in a blog article, or need to double check a reference for a sermon, … Continue reading Reviewing the New Bible Gateway
