Author Archives: reallifepastor

I just finished the reading for the day from “Common Prayer.” What a great resource for thinking about social justice in a faith context! Traditional prayers and songs are interspersed with stories about saints of old and contemporary saints–all people … Continue reading →

This real life pastor gets tired sometimes.  Like most folks, I over-commit, over-function and rationalize all my busy-ness because I’m “doing God’s work.”  The thing is, the cells in my body can’t distinguish between God’s work and other work.  To … Continue reading →

You know those weeks when everything goes right? You follow through with everything you say you’re going to do, the creative juices flow, the house is clean, the desk at work is clean, you let down no one, and check … Continue reading →

February 10, 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa. Do you remember where you were when you heard he’d been released? Do you remember how you felt? And that was just 3 short months after the Berlin … Continue reading →

Sunday’s worship service was very intense. Amazingly so. Before I tell you about Sunday, though, I need to tell you about a book club meeting last June. The book group had read a book about women’s spirituality. The ensuing conversation … Continue reading →

Yesterday someone asked a question I’m frequently asked: How do you deal with so much sadness, particularly the kind that attends the difficult diagnoses, the news that the cancer has returned and that there are no treatment options left? How … Continue reading →

Each year I use a different prayerbook for my private prayer time. The diversity keeps me interested, you know? I found one called “Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals” at the bookstore back in November. I love several things … Continue reading →

As a pastor, I do a lot of reading. Some of it is even edifying! Several years ago, I started keeping a record of what I read, including quotes and stories. You never know when you’re going to need a … Continue reading →

Today at church, a grandfather related a recent suppertime conversation with his grandkids. A granddaughter said she wanted to be a geologist when she grows up. When it came his turn, the youngish grandson declared, “I want to be a … Continue reading →