Category: Uncategorized

For A Name’s Sake

I’m sitting in front my screen, tapping absently at the keys trying to formulate a final paper for my Lutheran Confessions course. Nothing. I have plenty of material, but I have zero impetus to engage in medieval theology anymore. You would think a theology of grace would be liberating. But during the actual class, I found myself pulling my hair…

Selig

“If we remember that the German word for holy (selig) is the root of our word silly, we may be forced to make some pertinent connections.” — Mary Rose O’Reilly, Radical Presence: Teaching as Contemplative Practice It’s been a long, cold winter. I smile behind my wool scarf as I crunch over the snow and on down the road. It’s…

Samhain 2017: Thoughts & Suggestions

Long ago I relinquished the fear-based religion that taught me that everything outside literal, inerrant Bible interpretations was to be avoided and branded as evil. Everything was a threat: culture, music, dancing, other religions, LGBTQ+ people. And Halloween. To be honest, I have my own reasons to abstain from 21st century North American’s Halloween: our sheer consumption of fabric, sugar,…

When Spiritual Bypassing Meets Racism Meets Gaslighting

“If spirituality is an important part of your life (as it is for me), and/or if you place a high value on positive thinking, and especially if you’re a Law of Attraction enthusiast, please read about spiritual bypassing beyond the paragraph definition.” Indeed. I’ve often struggled with the bubblegum depth white spirituality presents me with. But since questioning light means…

Release the Just

I recently completed my First Basic Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. Part of my work as a student spiritual care provider was to be present with both long-term care residents and subacute patients. The other part of my work was deep individual and group reflection. In our training, we were often told to “just be present”. Sometimes all I would…