RECENT POSTS
Speaking at the Festival of Faith & Writing
Years ago, I saw an ad in an issue of Books and Culture for something called the Festival of Faith & Writing. The name of
#26: Jesus Came from a Dysfunctional Family
Episode #26 — Jesus Came from a Dysfunctional Family: I’m sneaking in one more bonus episode of the podcast because I couldn’t resist and because
#25: Merry Christmas
Episode #25 — Merry Christmas: Our children will open presents today, and their joy at receiving gifts that they cannot buy for themselves will remind
#24: Birthday Party for Jesus
Episode #24 — Birthday Party for Jesus: Our tradition on Christmas Eve is to throw a birthday party for Jesus. As we approach the mayhem
#23: Light That Guides Us
Episode #23 — Light That Guides Us: Living with Jesus, living in the light, means we start to see the things that God hates in this
#22: Seeing the Darkness
Episode #22 — Seeing the Darkness: In today’s episode I talk about our options when we see the darkness inside our own lives, like a
#21: Darkness and Light
Episode #21 — Darkness and Light: The darkness of the human heart. We don’t like to talk about that darkness, not at Christmastime, and really
#20: Joy All Year Round
Episode #20 — Joy All Year Round: When I sing Christmas hymns to my children at night, I am naming something that runs deeper than
#19: Light in the Darkness
Episode #19 — Light in the Darkness: The light shines in the darkness. Today’s episode looks at how the glitz, parties, and gifts of the
#18: Not Prepared
Episode #18 — Not Prepared: I’m more or less ready for Christmas. But am I ready for Jesus? Not really. I’m not prepared for Jesus
#17: Ordinary Hard Stuff
Episode #17 — Ordinary Hard Stuff: Today’s reflection comes from a time when our kids were little, our cat was alive, and I was in
Teaching Students About Inclusion and Belonging
Teaching students about inclusion and belonging gives them a more expansive view of humanity. Because of advances in special education, many kids today are growing
#16: George Bailey and the Secret to Being Content {Part Two}
Episode #16 — George Bailey and the Secret to Being Content {Part Two}: Today’s episode is for all of us who think we need impressive
#15: George Bailey and the Secret to Being Content {Part One}
Episode #15 — George Bailey and the Secret to Being Content {Part One}: In today’s episode I give you a glimpse of when I was
#14: Love Hates
Episode #14 — Love Hates: In today’s episode, I look at Mary’s song and an uncomfortable truth about who God is. Yes, God is love.
#13: Being Elizabeth
Episode #13 — Being Elizabeth: What does it take for Mary to have hope? It takes God’s word, sure. But it also takes Elizabeth. It
#12: When Mary Says “Oh Crap” to God
Episode 12 — When Mary Says “Oh Crap” to God: In today’s episode I focus on Mary’s humanness. We know Mary was frightened. We know
#11: Shame and Glory
Episode #11: Shame and Glory — In the moment, which we now call “the Annunciation,” Mary said “yes” to both shame and glory, writes poet
