When you think about the celebration of Christmas, what Bible readings do you normally think about? Maybe your mind goes right to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, with readings detailing the birth of Jesus. Do you see a play-by-play of Mary and Joseph journeying to Bethlehem, the birth in a stable, and the exited … Continue reading The Divine Lover comes
Faith
150 at 2:51
I recently returned from our annual clergy retreat. There was a speaker and a schedule, but these things were punctuated by extended times of silence. We woke in silence. We ate in silence. Even our moments of free time—where the schedule is lax and there is nothing to do, silence was held. I did a variety … Continue reading 150 at 2:51
Choosing Simple
We live in a world of constant noise and distraction. There is always something to tear us away from what we focus on in any given moment. Images flash before us, ever changing what we are thinking about or reflecting on. Music provides an endless soundtrack to life; we find it in malls, in banks, … Continue reading Choosing Simple
Are you Quiet or Silent?
By mere definition, to engage in a retreat is to take a specific time away from the stresses and busyness of regular life, in order to attend more deeply to God’s presence and voice. To do this, many retreats employ some element of silence. We put down our schedules. We close our emails. We turn off … Continue reading Are you Quiet or Silent?
Prayerful Waiting
Do you enjoy waiting? Do you search for times of waiting during your day? For example, do you search out the longest line in the grocery store, hoping that you will end up standing behind someone paying in nickels? Do you arrive for your appointments on time, praying that a delay would keep you in the reception … Continue reading Prayerful Waiting
Eliminating Hurry
Every Sunday I race the clock. It’s true. We announce the processional hymn, and then move seamlessly until the end. We never pause for any significant length of time. One prayer backs onto another; as soon as the reading is done, we announce the hymn. If the intercessions go on a little too long, or … Continue reading Eliminating Hurry
Blessed Confessions
If confession is good for the soul, then why do so few of us do it? Why do we not take this to heart? Unless we come from a religious tradition that makes confession a liturgical necessity, this discipline too often gets pushed to the side and forgotten. It is seen to be nothing but a … Continue reading Blessed Confessions
Reverend Kyle Norman 