Walking through Target and the grocery store this week, I’ve noticed something: Thanksgiving seems to be missing from the shelf. Pumpkins and ghost napkins are 50% off, and the empty space that’s left is being filled with stockings and gingerbread. Out with goblins and pumpkins, in with Santa and stockings. On the one hand, this […]
Making Time and Space For Gratitude Read More »
I love getting good ideas (and giving them) for DIY stuff on Pinterest and have a whole board full of ideas for church stuff. For me a perfect “Do it Yourself” project should have all of the following to be considered a success: There should be some significant reason to do the project myself vs. purchasing
UPDATE: This post was written in 2016. All the advice still applies, but if you want to buy a calendar for your whole congregation to use, use THIS ONE for 2017. I’m not sure which wise mentorfriend (that’s a word, right? Mentorfriend?) of mine said “You know, I heard that pastors, if they are lucky
How To: Plan a November Gratitude Challenge For Your Church Read More »
A couple of weeks ago an article called “Fifteen Reasons Why Your Pastor Should Not Visit Much” by Thom Rainer was circulating widely on Social Media. It has been rattling around in my mind for a few days and I’ve debated whether or not to post my own thoughts on visiting. Ultimately, I decided to
15 Reasons Pastors Should Visit As Much as Possible Read More »
Is it just me, or are we all on edge lately? We have a lot to be overwhelmed about. This is a very tense election season. The stakes are high. Everyone has an opinion they’re trying to boil down to 140 characters and a bumper sticker. People are talking past each other, calling each other
When We’re All On Edge: 4 Spiritual Practices for Election Season Read More »
Where to start, where to start? I’ve been way far away from this site this summer, and many of the things that I planned to write this summer have been postponed or put on hold. Slowly, very slowly, I feel like I’m coming out of a sort of hibernation. For the past six weeks or so,
Goodbyes, Hellos, and New Projects… What a Strange Summer it Has Been. Read More »
Yesterday, the San Antonio community came out to celebrate the life of Rev. Kelly Allen. It’s impossible to think about writing publicly about all of the thoughts in my heart and mind about her life, her death and her legacy, but some folks who were at the memorial service asked for me to post
Remembering Kelly Allen: The Hebrew Midwives Read More »
I’m speaking about faith practices and families this week at Mo Ranch in Hunt, Texas. I’m half-way through the workshops (two down, two to go!) but one of the things that I’ve found so far is the same thing I find nearly every time I present about faith practices and children: a lot of grandmothers show
How to Help Your Grandchildren Grow In Faith: Ideas for Grandparents Read More »
Sermon Text: 1 Kings 18:20-39 The Hebrew Scriptures of our Bible, what we call the “Old Testament” are full of what I like to call “flashy” stories. Sure, the New Testament has some pretty flashy stuff as well and Jesus being raised from the dead is the flashiest of them all, but when it comes
Sermon Remix: Elijah and the Prophets of Ba’al Read More »
“You’re not the boss of me!” your child yells as they stick out their tongue and run away. Furious, you yell back, “How dare you talk to me like that! You little…” This pattern is nothing new. Your child has a bad habit of disrespect. It’s something you’ve been trying to nip in the bud
The Shocking Solution to Your Child’s Disrespect: Guest Post by Nicole Schwarz Read More »
