Living into God’s Time – The Story Formed Calendar

My friend Tara Malouf has just produced an extraordinary calendar – not like your ordinary calendars that begin in January and go through the twelve months of the year as we know them but one that flows to the rhythm of the liturgical year.  It begins in Advent and follows the seasons of the year. [...]

The Coming Of the Lord is Near – Advent Meditation Video 2009

Here is my Advent meditation video for 2009.  I have really enjoyed putting this one together as I have been meditating on What Am I Waiting for this Advent?
The music is Gloria – Remember from the CD Standing Still by Jeff Johnson Used by permission. All rights reserved.

A high quality version [...]

Prayers from Ascension Day

Tomorrow is Ascension Day, the day on which we remember Jesus ascension into heaven 40 days after he rose from the dead.  What I did not realize is that for many this is also a celebration of the new creation that God brought into being by the ascension of Jesus.  What beautiful imagery to carry [...]

Lots of Good Lenten Resources

It is great to see the good Lenten resources that are now appearing that could make this the best Lent ever for any of us that want to take this season seriously.
Bread for the World has produced an excellent “Prayers for Hungry People” guide
Bob Hyatt has produced this comprehensive Lent prayer guide for reflection
And if [...]

Why Do We Neglect Easter #2

Easter Sunday is a totally different experience from the agony of Good Friday. For some, the festivities begin with a Saturday night vigil and a midnight feast. For others a sunrise service, a reminder of the women who came to the tomb at dawn, and a breakfast celebration herald this important day. Traditionally, Easter Sunday [...]

Why Do We Neglect Easter?

I am a little late with this post that gives a brief explanation of the season of Easter as it celebrated in the church calendar because I got diverted by the sunny day and the Mustard Seed House garden work day this morning.  I also know that Easter is still a long way off but [...]

Liturgy for Holy Name Day

This liturgy was originally written to celebrate Jesus naming day celebrated January 1st as a wonderfully refreshing Christian celebration for starting the new year.  It can also be used for an morning or evening prayer during the 12 days of Christmas too – though of course there are only 6 days left.
May we join [...]

That’s My King

Jesus is only one of the names by which we remember the Son of God.  Throughout the scriptures Christ is called by many names, most of which we rarely think about.  Yet our understanding of Christ and even of God is limited when we only know him by a few names.  To call him Christ [...]

What’s In A Name?

January 1st, in the Christian calendar is not the beginning of a new year.  This is the day we celebrate the circumcision of Christ.  Since our cultures are more squeamish than were those of our ancestors, modern calendars usually list it as the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.   Just like every Jewish [...]

Are We Looking Forward to Christmas?

Christmas is less than a week away and we are looking out on a snow covered Seattle with a clear cold day ahead of us.  I am about to go upstairs to Ricci and Eliacin Rosario Kilmer’s apartment for morning prayers.  In the comfort of my warm home I am reminded once again of what [...]