It dawned on me the other day while I was walking. Faith isn’t believing things will turn out the way I want them to turn out. Faith is knowing I don’t know how things are going to turn out and doing them anyway. Put more plainly, faith isn’t trusting that God will reward my good […]
A look toward 2021…
November is a time of celebrating the memorable moments of this year while casting new visions for where we hope to go in the year to come. Non-profit Executive Directors complete this task through video, email, newsletter, and end-of-the-year giving campaigns. Pastors do this in a sermon. Based on scripture. In under twenty minutes. For […]
Systems of Sanctuary
I am not a vegan but I wish I was. There are many injustices in our food systems that could be corrected by eliminating animal products from the human diet but for me, veganism is a response to an unjust system reliant on the suffering of animals. Years ago, Fiona and I sat through a […]
It’s been awhile…
July 3rd to be exact. Since I last typed up and sent out a message. I could say I have been busy. Because I have. I could say I have been overwhelmed. Because it would be true. I could say what Jessica said in her introduction to the wander this morning…that sometimes we are too worn […]
Who have we become?
Inspired by Micah 2: 1-5I’m not sure if it should make me feel better or worse that the issues dooming the community in Micah are the same issues plaguing our contemporary society. Both in the ancient Israelite community and in contemporary American society, land represents the promise of survival and sustainability. Both in the ancient Israelite […]
After The Pause In Conservation
For the past year and a half, I have regularly used the word “conservation” when referring to our community’s relationship with these ten acres of shortgrass prairie. While conservation has not required that The Land remains unchanged, it has created space to understand the pricelessness of The Land we would be conserving. As a practice, […]
When the Story Goes Silent
Acts 10:44-48While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can […]
Cotton Candy Conversion
Inspired by Acts 8:26-40Let’s just say that the story of Philip and the Eunuch is a cotton candy fairy tale. Unlike every other conversion story ever told, this conversion story is nothing but butterflies and rainbows. Two key ingredients ensure that this is a conversion story with a happy (aka: non-genocidal) ending. The first key […]
The Land And New CDC Covid Guidelines
Hello Friends, The CDC has published new guidelines regarding masks that have impacted The Land. Specifically, the CDC has stated that when people are vaccinated and gathered in small groups outdoors, masks may not need to be worn. I have linked many resources in this email including this one: Does everyone need to wear a mask outside? Experts weigh in. […]
A Critical Conversion
Romans 8:5-10Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The […]