Seemingly Unchangeable

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. Mark 1:29-45

There are many things in our lives that seem unchangeable, Our commute, our daily routine, and certain relationships we have seem like the same old same old. And illness in our lives can become so normal that it seems that nothing will change, get better and no good solution found. The days before my surgery seems so repetitive and regular, that nothing seemed possible to make things different, let alone better. We can even get comfortable with the way things are, even when the way things are a hurtful and destructive.

In Jesus' lifetime, old women who got sick usually died. People with leprosy had a life sentence, a painful disease pared with extreme and unending isolation. The diagnosis meant there was nothing to be done and nothing more to expect. Just get used to it. Older people just expected to die, with little medicine or other support available. It was the accepted way. Into this scenario comes Jesus, who brings not only a message of possibility and healing, but the touch which brings both to life. People who were once set aside for dying now very much with the living. God's work is about bringing solutions to impossible situations and relations. God's work in us is trusting that Gos is actively seeking solution in the impossible places and living with an expectation of hope at all times.

Today, I ask God to help me see beyond the stuck places. the pain that seems constant, the circumstances that will never get better and the relationships that still have possibility despite their seemingly dead state. May we live this day and every, knowing that God's activity is working on remaking the impossible, freeing the long suffering and finding resolution to the worst puzzles in our times.

Walking by the Sea

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:14-28

Last night, the ocean was so loud and insistent I thought it might be bringing in a storm. After living so long by the ocean, it constant roar and song rarely disturbs my sleep. For those who have never lived by the sea, it can be a startling and disturbing noise as it is both loud and constant. I think of it more like a lullaby. I have grown up by the water and it is the sound of home and comfort. The ocean is where I go to center myself, reflect and walk. I look forward to the days when I can walk on the beach again. Maybe the ocean woke me to tell me I was missed.

Jesus walked by the sea and found his family - his support team, his friends, the ones who would go through every day, every challenge, every bitter conflict, side by side with him. He took to the ocean and found strangers who would become immediate friends, companions and would carry on after he passed on. He found by his side the feisty and intense, the faithful, the constant and the loud mouth, real people who were real friends and real disciples. He did not seek out fancy, credentialed, politically correct or fashionistas to be his friends but rather, real people who are the best real friends.

Today I am grateful for all of my friends, those I met as a child by the ocean and all those I have collected across the years. I am grateful for all the feisty, silly, brilliant and in your face folks who have made me their friend. And I am thankful for knowing that Jesus seeks real people as followers - not the perfect and beautiful, but the real, tender passionate goof-balls - who carry the love of God to the world.

Wild Honey

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Mark 1:1-13

Wilderness and Wild Honey

The most wondrous love grows
in the wilderness fed by wild honey
found food and hidden visitors
a place out of the mainstream
out of the limelight out of time.

One dove visit and the voice of God
thunders through the hearts of onlookers
there is mighty change before us
awaiting us is tremendous challenge
and God is in the midst of it.

We ache for awards and appreciation
God invites us to this wilderness
this lenten journey of castaways
we forage and stumble waiting
to hear the voice of God again.

Our loneliness overwhelms us
the pain of healing is tremendous
walking upright is the first challenge
finding strength in the darkest night
our constant toil our constant fear.

God is in the midst of us as we kneel
in silent vigil, as we wait with tears streaming
as we ache for a touch a tender word
the sweet honey of love's forgiveness
God is with us already and we fail to see.

Open our blind eyes remove the scales
from our wounded souls, our broken bodies
you will heal everything all of us
and we will dance in celebration again
God is with us, God is coming, God is here.

Good Job!

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." Mark 1:9-15


When our daughters were small we tried to encourage them as much as possible. We all need encouragement, and we tried to set an example with regular praise and words of encouragement. We said "good job" so often, I think, that it came back to us mockingly as they became teenagers. A sassy, "good job Mom" could get us rolling in the aisles. In the past few days, as I have struggled to learn how to use my broken, healing body right now, several times I have heard the "good job" or "you're doing great1" Such small encouragement but it is a huge step in the bay step department that is mine for the next few weeks.

Jesus was beginning his ministry and humbly sought out John for baptism. John was reluctant but did his bidding, feeling somewhat reluctant, baptizing the one who was to come after, the Savoir of the world. Even for Jesus there was one step at a time, one affirmation he needed as he moved forward in his ministry. "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." These were the words that would carry him through the next trials and temptations, the challenges and rocky roads. And these are words for all the beloved whom God holds close. We are asked to hear the love that God has for us, the encouragement and daily participation that is God's love in our struggles too.

Today, I ask God to help me give thanks for every positive step, every helpful person, and every sign that healing is coming. May each day be filled with the reminder of God's constant presence in our constant struggles. And may we not lose hope, knowing that each small step forward is a mark of God's love writ large in our lives.

Building on Love

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:20-26

Today I was released from the hospital and came home. On a chilly bright and windy day, I struggled up the front steps, and found my way to my own bed. There is lots of healing ahead. a day by day rebuilding, praying, breathing a finding ways to deal with pain and get stronger. It will be a lent to remember for me, a day by day, step by step, slow walk to Easter, to resurrection and new life.

Jesus is preparing the disciples and us, for the days ahead. There will be struggled but we are wrapped up in love. There will be trials, and daily challenges, some wins and some major losses, and in between we will know daily the heart of God. We are caught up in love, building daily, strengthening as we walk, growing stronger as we journey together.

Today, I ask God to help me take small steps, to know that I am held up by love. I pray that God will bring me, one step at a time,along this road of healing, knowing with every breath, that I am held up in love. May we all know, as we walk this lenten journey, that we are built up moment by moment with love.

Praying for Protection

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:9-19

There are swans on Lake Lily, which some times swim out in the open water, and often stay closer to their nests, out of sight, away from interference. The swans are very protective of their nests in spring and so we see them more often in the fall and winter. They are magnificent creatures, elegant and startling while, gliding effortlessly across the pond. It is a joy to see them, a joy to watch them, and we all know that their environment is fragile and can be dangerous. They need our cooperative protection, although they are standoffish, we want to be careful not to disturb or injure their young, while keeping the lake clean. It's a careful balance, as we all live together.

Jesus continues his prayer for us. He is praying for his followers in his present day and now, understanding that we can't always know what we need, and cannot always understand they way of God. On this journey of Lent, as we seek the heart of God, we can be strengthened knowing Jesus prayed for us and intercedes for us. It is not a journey taken alone, but with a whole host of the faithful past and present. Our faith binds us to a community that holds us close and prays for our strength and courage as we journey on.

Today, as I begin recuperating and rebuilding strength, I ask God for patience as I journey on, and a sense of humor to take me through the rough spots. May we hear the prayer of Jesus for us all - "I pray for them" - trusting that we are held in prayer across the time and the miles. God is with us as we walk these days of healing and transformation.

The Hour has Come

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. John 17:1-8


Today I am undergoing surgery to correct some severe spine problems. These next few blogs are pre-written, since I do not know exactly how long it will be before I am able to write again. It seems appropriate for Lent, this healing journey that I am embarking on. It will be a time of being remade, of patience and introspection, of asking for help and being grateful for the care and kindness I am given. It is a time of discovery and renewing of relationships, with God and with one another. My time has come to undergo the surgery and to trust God with the recovery and healing.

Jesus knew his time had come. Everything he had done in the recent past was a prelude to the passion. He knew few people would understand what he had to go through. Less would understand why. But throughout he knew himself to be in God's hands, held closely and watched even as he faced horrible pain, ridicule, betrayal and death. God made flesh offered his life, a once and for all sacrifice for the entire world. He prayed for his disciples and he prayed for us today, asking that we would know we were loved, and know we were held in God's loving arms.

Today I ask for your prayers as I go through this surgery that God may help me use this time to deepen our relationship and my trust. May this Lenten journey be a time of patient growth and sweet learning, so that my life might be used by God for the love and care of others. May God bless us all as we make our lenten pilgrimages, where ever they might take us, so that we might spread God's love around us as we go.



Jesus