Category: Spirituality

  • “Capturing Rain in a Teacup?” What does it mean to be spiritual but not religious?

    What does it mean when people say, “I am spiritual, but not religious?” To you, does it seem trendy? Does it have any meaning at all? Is it sacrilegious? Or does it resonate? I recently heard a conversation between Krista Tippett and author Pico Iyer as they discussed these questions. Tippett Read more […]

  • Sounds Like Kindness

    I recently posted on my Facebook page the meme featured here with a quote by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I added the question, “What do you think of this, friends?” A hearty conversation ensued. And I am generally quite proud of my friends and followers because they don’t back down from a good discussion,…

  • 3 Signs You Might Not Actually Believe in Hell

      The list is below, but to start the convo, I invite you to first watch this 2 minute clip from Seinfeld: If you are a Christian, here are three signs that you MIGHT NOT actually believe in hell.  (I am not arguing whether or not there is a hell.  I am just discussing what…

  • The Pope behind the Pope of the Year: Paving the way to change

    Like so many, I have been inspired and impressed by Pope Francis and his courage to challenge many of the practices of the papacy, and the traditions of the church. I often imagine him surrounded by people who say things like, “Well, you can’t do that,” or “But this is the way it’s been done…

  • Fatigue and Disappointment: 7 reasons I am grateful they exist in my life

    12:09am.  I was asleep, blissfully asleep.  And then I awoke.  Not to a noise or to a phone call—but to the sense of a burden. A few minutes later, my phone rang with disturbing news.  Now one hour later, I have had multiple calls with colleagues in Uganda, and am aware of an emerging problem…

  • How did you wake up?

    I have previously made reference to the fact that the literal translation of the Luganda morning greeting is not “Good Morning,” but rather “How did you wake up?” It seems to me a strong metaphor for the moment in time—or a specific event or series of experiences—that triggered our spiritual Read more […]

  • How do you know what you know?

    About a year ago, I wrote a blog post which I called “4 Things I’m Glad I Don’t Know for Sure.”  I reflected on the wonder of faith, and the miracle of the unknown as it adds nuance and “magic” to our existence. Today I received an email from a distant friend espousing a very…

  • The Noise of Poverty; Understanding Its Power over Self & Other

    As I transition from the “West” to Uganda—yet again—I am anticipating the different sounds in the lifescape.  Some will welcome me, emoting joy and pleasure. Others will attack me in offensive ways, stirring negativity and frustration.  Others will be processed subconsciously—and yet will Read more […]

  • Excerpts from my homily at Marge Murdock’s memorial service

    Saturday, December 8, 2012.  Camp Verde, AZ. “Through the miracle of faith, one can simultaneously experience grief at the end of a precious human experience, gratitude for the gift of engagement with a marvelous fellow spirit, and this glorious hope of heaven.” “The precious nature of this human Read more […]

  • “The Elusive Image” (A 90-second read about drawing the impossible)

    You have likely heard the story of a little girl who sat down to draw, and when her teacher asked what she was going to draw, she said, “I’m drawing a picture of God.”  “But, honey, no one knows what God looks like,” the teacher said.  To which the little girl replied, “They will in a…