At The Palms, we ground ourselves in a mission of unconditional love, justice, and extravagant welcome. But as we look at the landscape of our nation today, we must ask: are our collective priorities reflecting those values? If Jesus walked through the United States today, I suspect his message would be startlingly direct. Guided by the… Continue reading It is a Season for Reclaiming Our Priorities
Tag: Lent
How can we turn our Lenten disciplines into tools for advocacy?
As the sunshine of February transitions to March, we find ourselves in the middle of another Lenten journey. This year, our congregational theme—“A Season for Every Matter”—takes on a profound weight. If we look at the world around us, it feels as though we are living through a season of “breaking down” and “weeping.” In… Continue reading How can we turn our Lenten disciplines into tools for advocacy?
Let’s turn our Lenten contemplation into courageous advocacy
Lent invites us into the season of sacred pause—not for the sake of hollow piety or performative sacrifice, but for deep, honest self-reflection. In the quiet of this season, we are called to look inward and identify the personal and systemic barriers that keep us from loving our neighbors fully. In our progressive faith, the… Continue reading Let’s turn our Lenten contemplation into courageous advocacy
I wrote a poem at this start to Lent.
Holy One, sometimes life just seems to have too many times; too many times of violence and dying; too many demands and problems; too many broken dreams and lives; too many wars and fights and arguments; too many moments of greed andsounds of people devouring each other like vultures on a dead carcass; too many mountains of unpaid bills … Continue reading I wrote a poem at this start to Lent.
Grieving prophetically
Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. After a lifetime of ministry, Richard Rohr said, “I have become convinced that most anger comes, first of all, from a place of deep sadness.” Life disappoints and hurts us all, and the majority of people don’t know how… Continue reading Grieving prophetically
Wow! A lot is going on.
April is upon us! Wow! Where did February go? The only option is to March forward. The Church of the Palms is going all out in April with many special worship services. We hope you plan to attend. Wow! A lot is going on, thanks be to God! I hope you can make the time… Continue reading Wow! A lot is going on.
Before you jump to the resurrection
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” After a lifetime of ministry, Richard Rohr said, “I have become convinced that most anger comes, first of all, from a place of deep sadness.” Life disappoints and hurts us all, and the majority of people don’t know how… Continue reading Before you jump to the resurrection
Finding the holy amid the garbage.
How do you find the holy amid all the garbage of the world? There’s a lot of garbage in politics and in our relationships. How can we find holy moments in the middle of all our living? That thought has come alive in a new way in my life this year. Wendy’s parents were hoarders and… Continue reading Finding the holy amid the garbage.
Keep the chocolate.
Lent is finally upon us. Throughout my life, I have traditionally given up things for Lent. While self-sacrifice has its place in our faith journeys, I have come to believe that Jesus would probably laugh at our efforts during Lent. Jesus looks us in the eye, chuckles and smiles, and asks us why we’re giving… Continue reading Keep the chocolate.
The unusual season of Lent
Lent. The season of Lent is, to my mind, the most unusual season of all. Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany are filled with expectation, warmth, and wonder. Easter is full of joy. The Day of Pentecost is filled with excitement. Ordinary time (the time between Pentecost Sunday and Advent) describes much of my life—ordinary. But Lent… Continue reading The unusual season of Lent