Rev. Jenn's Blog
Present in Prayer
The man called Apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:17) tells us to “pray without ceasing.” As a pastor, I wish always I did this to the letter, but I admit that I do not. Occasionally, I forget to pray. Nevertheless, I have what I call “pastoral radar,” and at...
“Not to Worry”
Recently, a well-intentioned person, who I believe meant to be empathetic, said to me, “I’m sure you’re worried about this.” Alas, the person misunderstood. I wasn’t worried. Rather, I felt overwhelmed and tired. And, I also felt a sense of trust, especially in...
Courageous, Strong and Free
This week, if she were still alive, my grandmother would have celebrated her 112th birthday, or her 115th, or possibly her 120th. The truth is: No one in my family knew Grandma’s exact age. As she told it, she changed her birth certificate to make herself older so...
Treasuring Summer
In my seventh summer, I found the Kingdom of Heaven at the beach. Every day, from late June until Labor Day, I relished the time to see friends, swim in the ocean, stroll in the sand, and especially to collect sea glass. At first, I kept the glass in a small jar. ...
After Thoughts and Prayers
On Sunday morning, June 12th, I prepared to give a sermon I titled, ironically, “Put Feet on Your Prayers.” I was nearly out the door when I heard the news that a group of people dancing the night away in Orlando, Florida, practically my backyard, were held hostage...
On Solid Ground
Leave it to Jesus the carpenter to tell a parable about construction so his followers can better understand life. Leave it to Jesus the itinerant preacher, who didn’t have to pay a mortgage, buy oil for the synagogue, or manage a church building fund, to explain what...
Developing Spiritual Strength
For several years, including while I attended seminary, I was a gym rat. At the gym, I put in my ear buds and tuned out the world so I could develop my physical strength. As I did, I discovered that my spiritual strength increased also. My time in the gym actually...
Into the Depths – Part 2
To live our true purpose and truly enjoy our lives, we must relinquish Tip-of-the-Iceberg/Second-Hand Living and venture into the depths. This is what Jesus did and what he taught his first disciples. (See Luke 5:3-11) . . . Jesus . . . told Simon: “Put out into the...
Into the Depths – Part 1
As we faithfully travel our life’s journey, we often reach a point when our previous ways of being, thinking, believing and/or doing no longer work. While this realization may be scary, it’s also liberating because it frees us to discern how we truly wish to live. ...
Balance and Flow – Part 2
Flowing with life is a key to contentment, especially when priorities appear confusing. Jesus explained this, in the brief story of “Mary and Martha” (Luke 10:38-42). A woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her house. She had a sister, Mary, who listened to Jesus...
Balance and Flow – Part 1
Ask most people, and they’ll agree: Enjoying everything in moderation and maintaining balance are fine ideals, though fairly challenging as a daily practice. As with so much else in life, finding our ideal balance requires both patience and persistence. It also...
Whose Rules? – Part 2
As we consider our Rules for Life, we realize what matters to us most. We also discover greater appreciation for who we are and where we’ve been, so we can determine what our heart is calling us to contribute to the world. Our mission at this point on the journey —...
Whose Rules? – Part 1
Many years ago, I saw a poster which began: “With all your heart, say out loud, I want to live a happy life. Listen to what you just said.” I read each subsequent phrase to the end, which said: “Take chances. Be real.” Then, I cried. In that moment, I knew. ...
Say What?
Remember the old playground chant: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? Some of us said this in reply to a taunt or tease we didn’t want to allow into our minds. Sometimes we shouted it, as if the volume could drown the violent...
Never Alone
Jesus was dead. This must be distinctly understood or nothing wonderful can follow. Jesus was dead. Everyone knew it. Many of them heard his words, predicting his own demise. Then they watched him die. They didn’t want to believe their ears. Then, they couldn’t...
Spring Forward
This past Sunday, most of us in the United States turned our clocks forward. Some of us enjoy this change; others, not so much. Either way, in autumn, we’ll turn the clocks back. Yet, our forward motion isn’t predicated on the seasons; it’s predicated on our choices....
Grow Deep Roots
Those of us traveling a Lenten journey to Easter have reached midpoint. While we know we’re almost there, we also know, we aren’t there yet. We anticipate growth, although we can’t fully see it. Sometimes, while we’re awaiting outer evidence of inward belief, we get...
Still Within
These days, with so many radar systems, channels and apps at hand, we can track changes in weather 24-7. Yet, with all that information, we still can’t control where the winds may blow or when the rains and snows may fall. Neither can we always predict the kinds of...
Be Your Own Guru – Part 3
When I taught high school English, I had a poster centered above the blackboard which said: “Listen and Silent are spelled with the same letters.” I wish I had a dollar for every student throughout my teaching career who said, “Really. Wow!” To listen, we first need...
Be Your Own Guru – Part 2
To begin nurturing our inner guru, we recognize that all people possess the innate wisdom and understanding to discern how best to live their lives. As Dr. H. Emilie Cady, a holistic pioneer and New Thought Christian writer and teacher noted in Lessons in Truth (2003...
Be Your Own Guru – Part 1
As I prepared to enter the sanctuary one Sunday morning, a visitor I’ll call ZZ approached me and eagerly shared excitement about being there. ZZ heard about the church and about me from a church-member friend. I felt flattered, and also curious, wondering what ZZ...
Mountains of Love: Remembering MLK Jr.
Many discussions in life involve the themes of happiness and love. Yet, we don’t always know the difference. One of the best clarifications I’ve read is from an unnamed Catholic priest who worked in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He said, “When you think about...
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