Majestic Lake Tekapo in New Zealand with lupins blooming My parents told me more than once, "It's better to give than to receive." Of course, as a child, this idea doesn't make as much sense. After all, children depend on others giving them love and basic needs and...
Reflections
Roots: Everyday miracles
Is there such a thing as a minor miracle? Can a divine intervention be so unnoticeable that it's seldom mentioned? If so, what makes the miracle minor? Is it the number of words printed that tells us the miracle happened? Is it a lack of media coverage or social media...
Chemistry: A drink between friends
My parents made it abundantly clear that the well behind my grandparent's home was out of bounds for my sister and me. Perhaps this is what created the intrigue for me. Something about a hole in the ground where fresh, pure water can be fetched captured my...
Access: Inalienable rights
The Declaration of Independence that set in motion the beginning of our emerging nation begins with a statement that is, at the same time, inspiring and exclusionary. The spirit of our preamble states that humans have certain unalienable rights that government has the...
Lost: Bias and social justice
We begin our new series, Thirsty, talking about social bias. This is important since, as we dive deeper into the subject of clean water, we'll need a language with definitions for clarity in our discussions. Our goal is to better understand clean water as an issue of...
Innocence: Line crossing
We've reached the end of our series, Help my unbelief, and celebrate Ash Wednesday this coming week as the season of Lent begins. Lent is intended as a time of deep inner reflection about God and our connection with God. During Lent, many of us will dig deeper into...
Coming up in Worship
The Season of Lent is a special time of year for many churchgoers, and Lent is celebrated in various ways. For many, Lent represents a time of deep reflection. For others, Lent is a time for dieting or giving up favorite foods. The day before Lent begins is commonly...
Not yet! I believe I Am
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." This famous line from Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet, reminds us that names don't matter nearly as much as who we are. But this doesn't keep us from using names as a shortcut...
How? Belief is a relationship
According to Dr. Robin Dunbar, a professor of evolutionary psychology at Oxford University, I am fast approaching the age when the number of close relationships I'm likely to maintain is about to plummet. Professor Dunbar is best known for the number 150. This number...
Choices: Trusting God
Google the expression “How to make good decisions?” and you’ll find a long list of articles offering three to twenty-three steps to help you out. Martin G. Moore, writing for Harvard Business Review, lists eight recommended steps. For example, this consultant to...