This morning on the news, I heard someone complain the editors of Charlie Hebdo were guilty of the “sin of provocation” for continuing to publish any cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed. Last week, 12 people were murdered by terrorists who were offended by the publication and its history of publishing satirical cartoons that depicted religions…
Idaho Governor Clement Leroy “Butch” Otter made this statement this week as he was sworn in for his third term in office. “Where we draw the line is having others’ views imposed on us as mandates out of misguided political correctness or a lack of respect for our history, traditions and values.” I heard that…
In addition to the STAR words passed out in worship on Epiphany, this week I’ve drawn stars for over 150 people who have requested them on the blog or on facebook. It is a good spiritual practice for me. With each word I draw, I say a prayer for the person receiving it. Some of…
My STAR word for 2015 is MIRACLE. (You can read about our congregation’s tradition in a number of posts at the “STARward” tab at the top of this blog). Since we started passing out words on Epiphany, my words have been PRACTICE ADVENTURE PLEASURE and now MIRACLE I know it is a “churchy” word, describing…
My STAR word this year was Pleasure. I’ve reflected on it here and here. What’s not to love about pleasure, right? It’s been a good word. I had a good life before I drew the word, but I recognize I was more intentional about noticing pleasure in random moments of my life this year. I…
Christmas is in a week. Everyone seems overbooked and overwhelmed. Many of my clergy friends are barely hanging in there. Getting ready for the extra services is just one of a pastor’s worries in these dark days of December. I’m praying with and for my friends as they provide pastoral care to those who grieve…
Today is my “Adoption Birthday”, the day my family adopted me and brought me home. I was a month and two days old. I’m sure it all became legal some months down the road, but December 14 has always been my day to celebrate. Mere mortals get only one birthday. Awesome adopted children get two.…
This Veteran’s Day I’m thankful for one veteran in particular, my birth father, Clinton Kenneth McCourt. After Pearl Harbor in Dec 1941, he like many of his generation, answered the call of the nation and joined the Navy a few months later, serving in the Philippines. Before I’d learned my birth father’s name, I’d suspected…
Earlier this week, I wrote about the small, little voice in my head using the word “rejection” to describe how I’m experiencing this new information about my birth parents. I appreciate your comments and support in response to that post. And I want to reiterate that while it is a piece of the puzzle, it…
I’m sure there are scholars who have written about this, and I should track down their wisdom. Disclaimer–this is only my reflection and may not resemble other adopted children’s experiences. I’ve recently been discovering things about my birth parents. I was able to speak to my birth mother on the phone for a few minutes.…
Glass Overflowing 