Lessons from a late newlywed – Part 5: Building Blocks

For Trung and I, last summer was the season of building – and I mean actual construction. We started two projects at the beginning of the summer: A shed and a kitchen remodel. Yes, we are a bit crazy I guess. The shed – let me just brag a bit – is amazing, and Trung… Continue reading Lessons from a late newlywed – Part 5: Building Blocks

A Classic Story Re-Investigated

Whether you grew up in church or not, sometimes reading stories in the Hebrew Scriptures can be confusing, overwhelming, and downright hard to understand. Wars and battles are described in ways that are foreign to our 21st century ears. Who won the battles, and why, is often something that is called out in the passages,… Continue reading A Classic Story Re-Investigated

The dance of grief and sabbath

I’ve been reading a book that my sister in law got me a few years ago when I went back to visit her and my brother and his family. I had put it in my nightstand, intending to read it, and then life went on. It got packed and moved and unpacked, and I found… Continue reading The dance of grief and sabbath

Ever been in Mary’s shoes?

Last year I read through Kenneth Bailey’s book “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes” – and his observations in the opening chapter around the birth story of Jesus, as told by Luke, captured my attention. Bailey set the story in the context of the way homes were built and how the culture of hospitality worked in… Continue reading Ever been in Mary’s shoes?

Zechariah & the Christmas Story

Every year when I unpack the Christmas decorations, there’s a devotional book on advent that I unpack as well. It’s called “God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It’s a compilation of sermon notes, letters he wrote to his fiancé when he was in prison during WWII, and quotes… Continue reading Zechariah & the Christmas Story

The Cross over Empire

To say I have “studied” the book of Revelation would be a gross over-statement. Rather, I can say I have spent the last four classes of this semester looking at the themes and talking about how first century people would have understood the letter and apocalyptic style of writing of the day. It has been… Continue reading The Cross over Empire

How do you define home?

Ever walked into a place and just felt like it was home? For those of you who had a good home life, this question probably brings back warm feelings, good memories, and a sense of “yeah… I know what that feels like. It’s good” I realize that for others, that question can evoke a general… Continue reading How do you define home?

Lessons from a marathon

Two weeks ago we walked out of church and heard cheering a block or so away. Curious, my husband and I headed down to Pearl Street to see what was going on. Turns out, that day was the first ever “Boulderthon” – the inaugural half and full marathon for Boulder – and we were right… Continue reading Lessons from a marathon

What exactly is worship?

I bet you wouldn’t necessarily think that sports and worship go together (and I don’t mean Sunday afternoon football, although there’s always that this time of year). I am thinking more, have you ever considered that your morning workout, your team sport, your personal commitment to fitness has a place in the life of faith?… Continue reading What exactly is worship?