How do people answer the question “How are you?” “Fine”, or “good,” Am I right? After that, what do you think the next most popular answer is? I think it’s busy. It’s almost like a reflex. How are you? Busy. The thing about busy as an answer (and I’m just as guilty of this as […]
Sermon Remix: Sabbath as Relinquishing Control Read More »
Today Northwood was incredibly fortunate to have the Wartburg Choir visit us. The number of choir members was approximately equivalent to the number of other worshippers. The choir was full of energy, grace, and (most importantly) voices that moved us all to tears. The recording of Give Me Jesus, is currently playing on repeat in my
Sermon Remix: The Hailstorm & Wartburg College Read More »
This week I saw photos and video of the earthquake in Japan and it gave me a little bit of pause. Though the hailstorm San Antonio experienced is not even close to being in the same category of disaster, I couldn’t help but think about the common protective instinct that parents have for their children, whether it’s
Things I Thought About After the Hailstorm: Children and Disaster Read More »
One of the most helpful things anyone ever said to me about Sabbath keeping is that Sabbath keeping should be thought of in terms of smaller parts of a larger whole. Just as we strive to take a Sabbath day out of our week, perhaps we can take a Sabbath week out of our year.
Practicing Sabbath for One, Three or Five Minutes — 30 Ideas Read More »
To: Ms. Vanessa Crum ([email protected]) From: Rev. Traci Smith, San Antonio, TX RE: Karnes Residential Facility . Dear Ms. Crum, I write to express my grief that your department is considering granting a license to the Karnes Family Detention facility, and to urge you to consider the implications of this. If you grant a childcare
Regarding the Licensing of Karnes Detention Center as a Childcare Center Read More »
When Elias and I were looking at Northwood Presbyterian Church as a possibility for where God might be calling us to ministry, I started doing what any reasonable job seeker does: internet stalking. I read everything I could online about the congregation, and the Presbytery. One of the things that intrigued me was a flier
Mentor Monday: John Fife and the Sanctuary Movement #LetHildaStay Read More »
I just got back from a weekend retreat at Mo Ranch where I spoke to the Presbyterian Women of Mission Presbytery. It was such an honor to be the keynote speaker, and I had a great time doing it. Given that it was the week after Holy Week, I’m pretty sure my body didn’t think
Sermon Remix, Retreat Edition: Join the Dance Read More »
This Thursday, inspired by this post “Be a Poet, not a Preacher During Holy Week,” I read three poems during the Maundy Thursday service For the Dying by John O’Donohue from his book To Bless the Space Between Us Kindness, by Naomi Shihab Nye from her book Words Under the Words and Fair is Fair by
Sermon Remix: Maundy Thursday and Easter Read More »
This prayer from Archbishop Oscar Romero says it all, more eloquently than any of us could. Rest, my friends, and believe these words I bolded some parts that seem to apply to Holy Week preparation: It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our
Prayer for Busy Pastors and Leaders Nearing the End of a Busy Week Read More »
Awhile ago I was keeping up with the “sermon remix” and posting the thoughts from the Sermon on Sunday afternoons so that they could be used in a different way. I don’t know if I’ll be able to remix the sermon for a blog post every week, but I’d like to bring back the idea,
Sermon Remix: Palm Sunday 2016 Read More »
