That’s my word for the year. Here’s the backstory. When I became a Christian at the ripe old age of six, it was a decision, not an epiphany. I still remember theRead More…

We’re now past Christmas and on to a new year, but that makes the fifth Advent candle, the Christ candle, even more important, at least to me. I was raised in theRead More…

Oh boy. I really backed myself into a corner in writing about the love candle. I’m no poet or songwriter. I just write little essays. And who amongst us can say, “I’mRead More…

Continuing with the Advent candle theme, the third candle represents joy. If you’re familiar with the Enneagram, I’m a “7 Wannabe.” 7’s tend to have a sense of optimism, freedom and adventure.Read More…

The Advent wreath holds candles representing hope, peace, joy and love. Beautiful things. The most beautiful things in the world. But I gotta admit…I have trouble believing in “peace on earth.” LookRead More…

Advent candles apparently had their start in Germany, where children would stick a small candle into a decorated orange. Since then, a lot of families and churches have picked up on theRead More…

It’s Thanksgiving Day and there’s so much to be thankful for. When I say I’m thankful for something, it’s usually something I didn’t manufacture. It’s a gift. A blessing. (We tend toRead More…

I’ve been thinking about getting better…as a country (since we’re collectively at a change point), as the Church (for those of us who are part of it and want it to beRead More…

I feel a bit of a shift after the midterm election. It’s tiny. It’s not across-the-board. But there’s peace, at least so far. Maybe civil war isn’t looming after all. Pluralism isRead More…

There’s this thing called “The Decalogue for a Spirituality of Nonviolence,” written by two Franciscan peacemakers. Here are the last three points of the decalogue.   “To be ready to suffer, perhapsRead More…