Author Archives: reallifepastor

I returned to church today after being away for a week and a half.  I–like many pastors–take the Sunday after Christmas off.  It was great to spend time with family and to rest a little from the Christmas Eve madness, I … Continue reading →

            Any guesses as to today’s theme?  Yes!  Light.  From the brightness of the star that led the wise men to Jesus… to the brilliance of the heavenly host celebrating Jesus’ birth… to John’s fixation on it … light shines … Continue reading →

            Do you ever wish they’d had Instagram in the 1st century?  I’d love to have seen Joseph’s face when Mary told him:  “Uh, honey?  I’m pregnant.”             In 1st century Jewish culture, a betrothed couple like Joseph and Mary … Continue reading →

            ‘Tis the season!’  But ‘tis the season for what?  According to any retail outlet, since about mid-October it has been the Christmas season, the season to buy, buy, buy!  Does it sometimes feel as if the retailers get the … Continue reading →

Nelson Mandela has died.  If even a fraction of the people in the world would do even a fraction of the things Mr. Mandela did for the cause of peace and justice, the world would be a much better place.  … Continue reading →

The Soloist tells the story of gifted musician and one-time Julliard student, Nathaniel Ayers’.  Nathaniel’s mental illness eventually leads him to a life on the streets.  LA Times’ writer Steve Lopez encounters Nathaniel one day at a statue of Beethoven … Continue reading →

When I reflect on that great line from Mary Oliver’s poem, “Wild Geese”–“you have only to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves”–I think of my cats, Dayo and Gracie.  They do what they feel like … Continue reading →

Here’s what I’m learning at physical therapy:  If you don’t tell the therapist where it hurts, she can’t do what needs to be done to help you heal.  When another patient at PT yesterday said, “Um, that muscle isn’t happy,” … Continue reading →

Today I am grateful for poets, especially Mary Oliver.  She says things so well!  Here’s one of her best-known poems.  You’ll see why.   Wild Geese You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on … Continue reading →

Today, I am grateful for Sabbath rest. “Today I am altogether without ambition.  Where did I get such wisdom?”   Mary Oliver, Blue Pastures