tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60504992024-02-20T11:55:53.253-05:00Drowning in the Shallow EndThis isn't exactly insightful or inspiring. It's just whatever I'm thinking about when I sit down to my keyboard. But, if you're interested, read on. Feel free to leave comments, too!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.comBlogger389125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-18496916427804250912015-12-14T16:42:00.000-05:002015-12-14T16:44:08.137-05:00An Advent PrayerAfter a much-too-long hiatus, I'm inspired to write again by the realities of this Advent season. I'm now at an age where my conversations with friends and family are more about pregnancy, babies, and child-rearing than they are about dating and weddings. It's a new stage for many of us, and with that new stage come new prayers. Here is one.
God of Advent Expectancy,
You chose a courageous youngLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-11926891572881176952013-07-15T18:07:00.001-04:002013-07-15T18:07:42.646-04:00The Elephant in my BrainPreaching is a strange animal. It's a big, fuzzy hybrid created by the breeding of the unidentifiable mutt that is my creativity, energy, and intellect with the pedigree Holy Spirit. Perhaps that's why, when someone makes a positive comment about a sermon I've preached, I feel a little like I do when someone tells me that my dog is adorable: I say "Thank you", but it's awkward because I know thatLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-65655745888646833202013-07-14T22:06:00.003-04:002013-07-14T22:06:44.962-04:00WeepingWise people will write wise words about the events of this week. I don't have wise words today. I have tears.
I'm not generally an emotional person. It takes a lot to make me cry. But last night, as I heard about the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman, I wept.
I wept for a young man whose life was cut short for no good reason. I wept at laws that allow violence and do not protect unarmed Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-54792476788549345462013-04-19T12:49:00.002-04:002013-04-21T07:53:56.190-04:00Bad News Week
It has been a rough week. In Boston, bombs at a marathon wounded more than a hundred people and killed 3. In Iraq, a bomb in a coffee shop killed 27 people and injured dozens more. In West, Texas a fertilizer plant exploded killing thirteen people and destroying homes and buildings. A massive manhunt closed the city of Boston. There was an earthquake in Pakistan, and violent fallout from an Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-92181208163044366432013-04-15T16:25:00.002-04:002013-04-19T12:50:23.236-04:00One of Those DaysToday is one of those days. It's not that it's been a bad day for me, personally. My day in my neatly insulated world has been fine. No, today is one of those days when there's a voice nagging at the edge of my consciousness telling me that all is not well.
Today the local news affiliates are reporting that the Freedom House, one of this small city's homeless shelters, is closing. The Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-85781374679666947092013-03-27T16:00:00.004-04:002013-03-27T16:00:56.018-04:00To the EndI always get stuck on the sermons for the big church holy days. Holy Thursday is no exception. This year I wrote the starts to three separate sermons before finally settling into the groove and finishing my sermon for tomorrow. But, even though this one didn't make the cut for worship tomorrow night, something about it intrigues me. So, here you have it: A meditation I'm not preaching tomorrow.
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-63596894824963177522013-02-02T00:15:00.001-05:002013-02-02T00:15:49.395-05:00Finally Found What I'm Looking ForFive years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Middle East. I spent three weeks traveling through Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and Greece with seminary students and some really awesome laity. While we were in Jerusalem, we had the opportunity to do a little shopping in the markets. Several of us went to a little store with lovely hand-embroidered textile products, where we found stoles for Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-59073069763543558862013-01-31T10:38:00.001-05:002013-01-31T10:38:50.850-05:00Getting Causey"You just sound cute when you get causey." - Adam's Rib
From time to time, I get a bee in my bonnet about a political issue. I have been known to sign petitions, write to my congressional representatives, and even call my state representatives. Often, my feelings on these issues arise from my faith.
This morning my fiance called to remind me that the vote about Uranium mining is coming up in a Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-77603784595621062832013-01-16T17:19:00.002-05:002013-01-16T17:35:21.511-05:00Growling at my NewsFeedMy dog is a chicken. He's scared of loud noises and engines. Even though he's huge, he allows uppity Jack Russell Terriers to boss him around. He's been smacked on the nose by cats on a number of occasions, and responded simply by looking surprised and whimpering. Big and ferocious he is not.
And yet, whenever he hears a noise outside the door of our home, he growls fiercely at it. If the noise Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-68350119214623088512013-01-14T18:39:00.000-05:002013-01-16T17:22:17.437-05:00The Big AnnouncementIn my last post, I told you to stay tuned, so here's the update: I'm engaged! After more than a year of dating, my wonderful boyfriend proposed on New Year's Eve. When I announced this news to my congregation, I heard repeatedly, "Engaged? I didn't even know you were dating anyone!" I admit, I rather intended that outcome; I have kept my romantic life largely quiet. But, now that the word is out,Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-58961674400341892682013-01-01T21:21:00.004-05:002013-01-01T21:22:30.059-05:00Arrows 2012In 2006, I began a tradition of reviewing the year with arrow ratings, based on the old Newsweek format for their commentary on current events. In late December or early January, I would go through the events of my year and give commentary on different categories. While I skipped last year in the post-ordination-papers-haze, I've decided to pick up the tradition again this year. So, here goes:
↑Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-78440611120028647202012-12-23T18:49:00.002-05:002012-12-23T18:50:29.802-05:00Advent CrashI had the best of intentions. I even managed to keep it together until one week before Christmas. Then I realized that it was only one week before Christmas. It felt a lot like that moment when, after running off a cliff and through thin air for several yards, Wile E. Coyote looks down, realizes that he's run off a cliff, and goes plummeting down, leaving a terrified thought bubble in his wake Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-32562958229647492302012-12-17T15:49:00.001-05:002012-12-17T15:49:30.910-05:00Advent, Day 16Isaiah 11:1-9; Numbers 16:1-19; Hebrews 13:7-17
Creating and Re-creating God,
You promised that a shoot would grow up from the stump of Jesse,
That a great leader would come from a dying family line,
that new life would appear where previous generations had been cut down.
Restore hope where desolation reigns.
Re-create our hearts,
that instead of being broken by sin
we may be mended and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-3222555573608294912012-12-16T20:22:00.003-05:002012-12-16T20:22:58.258-05:00Advent, Day 15Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
God of All,
You call all your children to serve, each with different tasks before us.
But you also lay upon all of our hearts one mission:
To prepare the way of the Lord, motivated by love for you.
You call us to prepare our hearts
through prayer, worship, and study.
You call us to prepare those around us
by sharing your promise Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-80177259279278802862012-12-16T20:21:00.001-05:002012-12-16T20:21:55.559-05:00Advent, Day 14Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 9:8-15; Luke 1:57-66
Holy One,
We carry the weight of pain and sadness. We suffer with illness, broken relationships, hurtful memories, and the loss of loved ones. We have moments of loneliness and self-doubt, moments when we are overwhelmed by stress or hardship. We bear one another’s burdens as we pray for those in our community and those in our lives who are undergoing Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-37790442722458779192012-12-14T19:37:00.004-05:002012-12-14T19:38:04.360-05:00Advent, Day 13Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 8:4-12; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
"Will not the land tremble on this account, and all who live in it mourn?" - Amos 8:8
How long, O Lord?
How long before humans stop killing one another?
How long before we root out the hate that lives in our hearts?
How long before we stop shedding the blood of your children,
your precious ones, whom you hold in your hand?
Our hearts are broken.
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-19501369050763518002012-12-13T22:33:00.000-05:002012-12-13T22:33:07.307-05:00Advent, Day 12Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 6:1-8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
I sing your praise, O God, for you have done marvelous things!
Today, though, I praise you for the small blessings you have given:
For friends who bring laughter and wisdom;
For the freedom of hours to spend as I wish;
For the joy of giving to those I love;
For the wonders of technology and storytelling;
For shooting stars that light the sky;
For aLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-67391507764813434712012-12-12T18:58:00.002-05:002012-12-12T18:58:42.081-05:00Advent, Day 11Psalm 126; Isaiah 35:3-7; Luke 7:18-30
God who spoke the world into being,
I am out of words.
I have used up all of my energy to create.
You created for six days, nonstop,
your creative energy overflowing.
I spent all day shaping words,
composing liturgy,
preparing to preach.
And now I have nothing left to say,
no more creative energy to expend.
Give me rest, O Lord.
Lift me up in your strong Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-74206264714763842372012-12-11T21:07:00.002-05:002012-12-11T21:08:03.195-05:00Advent, Day 10Psalm 126; Isaiah 19:18-25; 2 Peter 1:2-15
Bear fruit in me, O Lord.
Help me to walk in your ways.
Guide me on the paths of knowledge and wisdom,
that my thoughts may glorify you.
Teach me self-control,
that my behavior might follow your commandments.
Grant me the strength to endure all things,
that I may outlast struggles and glimpse your promises fulfilled.
Purify my heart,
that I may grow Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-67412425768528774322012-12-10T12:10:00.003-05:002012-12-10T12:10:58.668-05:00Advent, Day 9Psalm 126; Isaiah 40:1-11; Romans 8:22-25
I am so impatient, O God.
I want to know what will happen, what joy you will bring.
It was a heavy weekend, with a memorial service for one,
and a service of remembrance for many.
Now it is Monday,
and I am greeted by messages of stress and strain,
words that challenge and bear down on my heart.
The tasks to do are numerous,
and I long to crawl back intoLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-33487211566891677752012-12-09T16:23:00.003-05:002012-12-09T16:23:58.585-05:00Advent, Day 8Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
Gracious God,
We are filled with anticipation at the promise of your arrival.
Prepare us to receive you.
Straighten out our words and smooth over our rough edges;
Purify our hearts and refine our lives,
That we may be ready for the transformation you will bring
To us, and to the world.
Awaken us to your presence,
That we may hear your Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-6631232349350002642012-12-09T16:22:00.003-05:002012-12-09T16:22:24.082-05:00Advent, Day 7Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 4:1-6; Luke 9:1-6
God of our Journeys,
You called your disciples and sent them out to proclaim the good news
with the instruction to take nothing for the journey.
You told them to pack nothing:
No extra clothes,
no walking stick,
no food,
no money,
no baggage at all.
But we are a people obsessed with our stuff.
We never leave home without keys, cell phone, wallet or purse.
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-15534216769722403582012-12-07T13:33:00.003-05:002012-12-07T13:33:48.911-05:00Advent, Day 6Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 3:13-18; Philippians 1:18b-26
Reading these passages today, I'm struck by this verse from Paul's letter to the church at Philippi: "Since Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether from dishonest or true motives, I'm glad and I'll continue to be glad."
God of Glory,
May Christ be proclaimed in this season of celebration!
May Christ be proclaimed in Christmas carols sung inLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-28428542976151101062012-12-06T09:38:00.000-05:002012-12-06T09:38:31.425-05:00Advent, Day 5Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 3:5-12; Philippians 1:12-18a
God of All,
You call all your children to serve,
each with different tasks before us,
each with a unique path of service before us.
But you also lay upon all of our hearts one mission:
To prepare the way of the Lord,
motivated by love for you.
You call us to prepare our hearts
through prayer, worship, and study.
You call us to prepare those Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050499.post-5643097421296161952012-12-05T19:43:00.000-05:002012-12-05T19:43:09.477-05:00Advent, Day 4Psalm 90; Isaiah 1:24-31; Luke 11:29-32
I fear your justice,
O God of All Knowledge.
I fear your justice, for my stomach is full
and my kitchen is filled with more good things than I can eat,
while others of your children go hungry.
I fear your justice, for my home is warm,
and my walls and my roof are solid,
while others of your children have no safe shelter from the elements.
I fear your Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178056783902917733noreply@blogger.com0