Rev. Jenn's Blog
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...
Merry in Service
Once upon a time, I thought vocation – an inclination toward a particular career or a divine call to God's service – was merely a word on the SATs. While I side-stepped my true calling, I held several different jobs, sometimes two at a time. For many years, I worked...
Enter: Divine Love
We’ve reached the time of the season, Blessed Reader, when I invite you to temporarily disconnect the literal part of your internal programming. This process is called Suspending Disbelief. While Santa Claus is already packing the sleigh, let us travel from the...
God Doesn’t Fix It; We Do
Peace has been the theme for the second week of Advent. And what a week for it, as yet another mass shooting claimed the lives of people in San Bernardino, California, and violence continues to erupt in various places around the globe. The shouting “to do something”...
Faith Drives Hope
Advent, the Season of Preparation, is already underway. It’s a time to look forward, joyfully anticipating and patiently preparing for new life. Depending on which tradition one follows, this first week of Advent focuses on hope or faith. While these concepts can be...
Thankful to Be
Recently, I was honored to give the invocation and benediction at a Naturalization Ceremony at the local, federal court house. As part of this honor, I visited with the presiding judge and guest speaker, a naturalized citizen who is an associate professor of computer...
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