Month: March 2024

No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler (Book Review)

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I will admit it. I am a big fan of Kate Bowler. Her podcast, Everything Happens, keeps my mind occupied while I am at the gym. Her books can be found around my home as I turn to them for laughter and comfort. I love that in her books you see an honest view of God and life that isn’t sugar coated or harsh. It is real.

In this book, Kate Bowler walks us through her illness. This book isn’t easy, and it is beautiful. You will be cheering for her to beat the odds and survive her stage four cancer diagnosis. And maybe, like me, you will be thinking of loved ones who didn’t.

It ends with an appendix titled Cliches We Hear and Truths We Need. And I love every single one of them, so you should read the book just to get to page 201! My absolute favorite is “Everything is possible” which she changes to “Ask instead, what is possible today?” (pg 202).

I wonder what is possible for you today and how you will live into the knowledge that there is no cure for being human and God is with you on this journey!

A To Do List Prayer

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I was just telling a friend that my to do lists are full and not getting shorter. And that is right, I said to do lists. More than one to do list! I love making lists because writing things down helps me to remember and checking things off is so satisfying!

So when you find your lists full and too much to do, take a moment and pray!

Loving God, I can’t imagine what your to do lists must look like. You have so many things and people occupying your time and energy. And yet, you always have time for me. Help us to remain productive when needed and to not become burdened by our lists of tasks. There will always be more to do. You remind us that rest is essential. So encourage us to honor the Sabbath even if it means we need to write it on our lists to make time for rest and you. Forgive our busyness and our mindset that more to do is better. Send your spirit of peace upon us to remind us which things are more important and which things can wait for another day. Slow us down and reorient our priorities, we pray. Amen!

Giving Thanks for Where I Have Been…

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As I was preparing to preach last week, I was sorting through my stoles to find one to wear on Sunday morning. I took time to look at beautiful stoles made by people I love and places I served. I enjoyed remembering stories behind stoles that were purchased for me to mark special occasions. This beautiful stole caught my attention and held it.

This beautiful stole was made by the saints of St. Giles to remind me of my years with them. As I looked at the carefully created squares, I pictured the children, youth, and families as they were 10 years ago when I was with them. I prayed for them imagining where they might be today. And I gave thanks for my time serving the children and youth and adults of that church hidden in the woods.

Faithful God, For the places we have been and the people we have journeyed with, we give you thanks! Thank you for sweet and hard memories. Thank you for children and youth who have grown now. Thank you for adults who are keeping the faith and thank you for those who are now with you. For the gifts that help us remember, we give you thanks. Bless your saints near and far. Amen.