Can arts illuminate theology? Is this allowed? Permissible? Five-hundred years ago, Reformation birthed, the visual became idolatry. Churches newly formed, saying, “No,” to statues, “No,” to imagery, “No,” to the senses, Only the Word. The Word. Word. How I grieve for the turned backs, the opportunity for enrichment, the opening for all arts to be a window to God. How I grieve for the lost chance to welcome gifts of creativity into church spaces to splash God-given talent beyond its’ borders. How I grieve an auditory holy story told in community for fifteen hundred years flattening the Alpha and Omega…
Tag: Transformation
Still, Small Voice (& the Birth of a New Year)
Happy (almost) New Year, friends! As I’ve considered the dawning of 2017, my deep desire is for the gap between my written words and my actions to narrow. Of course, this is easier written than done! Regardless, I decided to sit down, listen to the still, small voice [I call her Spirit] and write what I heard as a guide for my upcoming year. I believe I will return to these words throughout 2017 as a gentle reminder. May it bless you and/or prompt you to listen to the still, small voice within and write your own guide for the…
Thin Places.
Today is Samhain, a feast day for Celtics to say goodbye to one half of the year (light/harvest) and welcome in the another half of the year (dark/winter). This day also coincides with All Saint’s Day, a day set aside in the Christian calendar to celebrate those in our lineage who have passed on. Christine Valters-Painter has a wonderful article about Samhain here. Below is my offering to you… a poem to consider the liminal spaces of our lives. In the thin places, sacred and profane near. Their energy vibrates, whirls around death and life. Ancient and newly birthed blow…
The Long Road of Esau
The story of Jacob and Esau is one of my favorites. The reason is because I when I first read about these brothers, I was blown away by the family dynamics in this story. The twins have contempt for each other from the time they are in Rebekah’s womb! There is clear favoritism from the parents. There is lying and deceiving and conniving! There are death threats and hot anger! If you’ve never encountered this story, I highly recommend reading Genesis 25:19-33:20. While Jacob fascinates me in his own right, lately, it’s Esau I’ve been considering. The Long Road of…
Wrinkles
My thirties are winding down. I have one more year in this significant decade, and, in many ways, I don’t want it to end. This is the decade where I’ve woken up to God, where my beliefs have been stretched, where parenting has challenged. This is the decade where I’ve reacquainted myself with who I’ve always been, gently giving myself permission to be this person. I look in the mirror now and see creases forming around my eyes. I notice the deepening lines around my mouth. As aging emerges, I’m in observance of the many creams on the market to…