We’ve arrived at the season of Lent, that period of the church year during which people figure we’re supposed to feel miserable. Mardi Gras – “Fat Tuesday” in French – was a time of joy and revelry – and pigging out. This stands in stark contrast to the observance that began Ash Wednesday. Now the…
Have you ever heard of a healthy prayer life? There are several key elements to a healthy prayer life – and the most important is our relationship with God. Rev. D Flanagan says that our relationship to God can be like that of a personal friend. When we feel that God is absent from us,…
Bill Gates said, “In terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient. There’s a lot more I could be doing on Sunday morning.” Isn’t that the truth – especially here in San Diego! Rev. Dan Flanagan wrote, “For the postmodern person, spirituality is anachronistic. (Definition: The representation of someone as existing or…
Many of us were taught that God is perfect in every way. Then life experiences happen and challenge these assumptions about God. How do we understand God’s role in suffering, evil and natural disasters? In our computer age, we demand a broadband God who responds to our needs immediately (on a 4G network). Any delay…
I am happy to share more on prayer in a postmodern world with the following thoughtful perspective by Alisan Rowland. Alisan and I have served together in ministry for years. She did her clergy internship at our church and currently works as a hospice chaplain here in San Diego. Many of us have heard before…
Psychiatrist Gerald May begins his book Addiction and Grace with a bold statement, “I am convinced that all human beings have an inborn desire for God”. Although many of us live with such hope, many people don’t have that experience – at least they’re not aware of it until they are in crisis or at…
Remember the song, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall?” Something powerful takes place when we unite and come together in transformational partnerships. When you hear the word “partnership,” what comes to mind? (Friends, business, common goals, teamwork, neighborhoods) The dictionary’s definition says, “A partner is a person who shares or is associated with another in…
Did you know that Jesus said that we were chosen and appointed to love one another? … and that this love is like fruit that will last and not spoil. Sometimes in life we get all caught up in rules and regulations – and we follow with our heads instead of with our heart. There’s…
Think about the first time that you went back to church. There are many reasons. For some of you, it may have been because of a life crisis, and you needed a place where you could heal, and so you went, and you found a place where you had the space and support to heal….
Happy New Year! How many of you have made your New Year’s resolutions? How are you doing so far? Statistics tell us that barely one in three of us continue to make the traditional New Year’s resolutions. I wonder why? Almost without exception, all the usual resolutions are so grandiose; so austere; so … instantly…
