I have long been puzzled by the fourth chapter of Jonah. The story could have have come to such a tidy ending after chapter three—Jonah ran, returned, preached, and the people of Nineveh repented. The end. But no, the writer surprises us with one more chapter about Jonah’s angry fireworks, God’s boundless grace, a curious parable about vine & worm, and a final compelling question…
Read MoreThe experience of Pentecost feels quite similar to my recent experience along the Camino de Santiago where pilgrims from all across the world - speaking many different languages - gather together along one path. Yet each person is on their own journey, walking at their own pace, and seeking their own sacred way. When pilgrims pass one another, their common bond is understood and honored with the simple greeting, "Buen Camino!"
Read MoreMy expectations were high as we boarded the boat and headed out of the harbor. We all gazed at the open ocean and waited... and waited... and waited. No whales. Our guide had told us that whale sightings had been sparse this season, but that we would still set out with hope.
We waited... and waited... and waited some more. No whales. This was rapidly turning into a "No Whales Whale Watch" excursion.
Read MoreAs we journey together through Lent this year, maybe we can “give up” the temptation to envy, boast or dishonor one another and instead lean into the arms of God’s never-failing love.
Ultimately, the bottom line is not what is most profitable, efficient or comfortable.
The bottom line is love.
Read More"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read MoreI believe that this light-filled message of Epiphany is too important for just a single day. Although not “liturgically correct,” I like to consider the time all the way from January 6 to Ash Wednesday as the season of Epiphany when we remember that God’s light shines in the darkness…
Read MoreDuring the first 5 years of Belly of the Whale Ministries (2014-2019), I had an annual tradition of sharing suggestions for ways we could slow down the feeling of "speeding" through December toward Christmas Day. For some reason I have gotten away from that practice, but am feeling like I could use some reminders this year…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be "pro-life?" So often this question devolves into mud-slinging, insults and gross over-generalizations. I have been blessed with several conversations recently rooted in mutual love and respect even when we wrestled with our disagreements…
Read MoreOne of my very favorite cheesy rom-coms is called Leap Year . It is about two people who predictably drive each other crazy and then, of course, fall in love on an ill-fated journey across Ireland from Dingle to Dublin. Little did I know that this quirky film would set in motion a series of events that would transform my calling to ministry...
Read MoreIn the fourth chapter of the book of Jonah, Jonah is supremely ticked off! He wants his enemies punished for their violent misdeeds, but God has opted for grace-filled, restorative justice rather than hate-filled, retributive justice. Jonah storms off in anger and claims he would rather die than live in a world where God shows mercy to "those people."
God's response to Jonah's anger is pure gold...
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