Blog
Advent’s Harvest
Where the ground is frozen,
raspberries will ripen.
Where the street is empty,
dancers will parade.
Where the embers are cold,
a phoenix will soar.
Where hope’s heart is broken,
compassion will bloom.
on Jeremiah 33:10-11
Let It Count
Let it count in our favor, O God,
that it’s been a rough year.
Let it be to our credit, O God,
that we can still find a prayer—
or at least a swear in your direction,
which should also count.
Put a “plus” in our column, O God,
for all the strikes against us.
Let it count in our favor that we
said grace at the table once or twice.
If today our most faithful effort is takeout,
let it not go without your understanding.
It has all rolled together, O God:
the horrors and fears, like life is stuck
with caps ALWAYS ON AND SHOUTING.
Let it count in our favor that our volume
has neither silenced the stormy winds
nor daunted the sun’s unyielding glare.
Let it be to our credit that we still say “please”
and “thank you,” that we give witness to heaven
when all the world is a dumpster fire—except
that it isn’t, really, which is why we still love.
If there’s nothing else redeeming about us,
O God, let love count in our favor.
O Lord, remember in David’s favor
all the hardships he endured.
(Psalm 132:1, NRSV)
Release (The Lord’s Prayer)
One becomes two as my thoughts release and my life lets go all that which was never mine. Two become one as Your presence defines and Your grace binds all that life which was always Yours.
Reviews: Denial Is My Spiritual Practice
Since the release of Denial Is My Spiritual Practice (and Other Failures of Faith) earlier this year, my new book co-authored with Martha Spong, I've been touched by the messages of appreciation for the book from readers who find in its pages a sense of companionship...
Daily (The Lord’s Prayer)
rest for the body delight for the spirit friendship for the heart one day at a time for all people, I pray
Steal Away
At the last, O God, promise that sacrifice will never again be demanded. At the last, O God, promise that our sisters and siblings and brothers will not need to compromise their imago dei for security. At the last, O God, promise that thunder will claim us and oust...
Other-Wise (The Lord’s Prayer)
Your kingdom come: wise to the othered vexing to the us Your will be done: tender to the distressed terrible to the rested on earth as in heaven.
Hallowed (The Lord’s Prayer)
Start with this: God is holy. Hold onto this: God is holy. Breathe in this: God is holy. Do not forget this: God is holy. Be grounded in this: God is holy. Be called by this: God is holy. Fall down to this: God is holy. Always return to this: God is holy.
Psalm 34
I will bless the LORD at all times, all times, by day and night, when my tears pour and my heart pounds, when it seems I have triumphed and when it seems I might die. Always and forever, your grace will be my prayer and your face will be my deliverance. When I cry and...
Holy Mysteries
Bless the LORD, all people, and praise God's infinite wisdom. We did not lay earth's foundations and we did not set the breadth of the sky. We cannot call rain from the clouds or command the lightening to strike. But, O God, we have been stricken here between earth...
Lament
Answer us, we dare pray, O God of our groaning. Reclaim what has been cast away, O God of our weariness. Seek out the pieces of our hearts, lest they be scattered by the wind. In your goodness, let there be a light to keep us company as we cry. In your mercy, let...
