In February of 2018, a woman named Isabella de la Houssaye was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer. Later that fall, she competed in – and completed – the Ironman competition in Kona. The Ironman, if you’re not familiar with it, is like a triathlon on steroids: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a … read
When Gregg and Beth asked me to speak on this fifth Sunday, they specifically requested that I speak about being the white mother for a black son. I said I would need to think about it, pray about it, and especially talk to John. But I anticipated that if John agreed, my answer would be … read
Which part of today’s story grabs you? The angry and envious brothers? Joseph’s bereft father? The broken family? Joseph, in his exile from his family? Not every exile is physical. Exile can be felt in the ending of a relationship, in the changing of a job or retirement. It can be felt as alienation from … read
This morning, I’m going to start with an assumption, that most everyone here knows the story of Little Red Riding Hood, who travels through the forest to bring a basket of goodies to her grandmother, only to be waylaid by the Big Bad Wolf. The wolf eats the grandmother and Red Riding Hood, but the … read
Mary Oliver will get us started this morning in her poem, “When Did It Happen?” When did it happen? “It was a long time ago.” Where did it happen? “It was far away.” No, tell. Where did it happen? “In my heart.” What is your heart doing right now? “Remembering.Remembering!” (From Felicity, Penguin Books, 2015) All … read