Symbols are more than mnemonic devices they can be sacramental.
ash wednesday
Valentine’s Day… or Ash Wednesday?
I believe the journey itself is sacred. For me, faith is more about the pathway than the destination, more process than result. A pilgrim, then, is an honest struggler making his or her way along the journey that is life. For Lent, a pilgrim sets their heart on Jerusalem and the Cross, inviting the Risen Jesus to be a companion along the way.
Lent: truth in the inward being
yesterday evening, as scores of people lined up to receive the mark of the cross in ashes, I felt drawn toward the desire for truth in my inner being. It’s going to be quite a journey.
surrender – working on my “towards”
And I found my eyes full with tears as pastor John made the sign on my forehead. Not emotion so much as fullness; or maybe surrender. Yes, that’s what happened. It was the first day of Lent and I surrendered.
Aligning ourselves with the light #Ash Wednesday
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him…. Read More ›
Communion, and the Spectacular Initiative of New Life
I’d like to challenge you to show up at your local faith community, to take communion (as we will at Wake Forest Presbyterian – you are welcome at our church), and to turn your heart toward the spectacular initiative of New Life that we celebrate, and that we strive to live into with creativity, with faithfulness, and with joy.
getting the pilgrimage up and running #ashwednesday
LENT: Today is Ash Wednesday; it’s the day on the Christian calendar that marks the beginning of the season of Lent; it stands as a signal, a marking point on the pilgrim path where we deliberately turn our attention toward… Read More ›
Ash Wednesday: 4 photos, 4 stories
Today it’s time for another edition of the (supposedly) popular “Four photographs, four stories,” posts. There’s a lot to cover, so I’ll cut to the chase and shamelessly indulge you all with a classic “dog-pic” for the opener. SCOUTIE! That’s… Read More ›
Ash Wednesday and the Sacred Rhythm of Lent
Here’s today’s “Wednesday Video-Blog.” Again, it’s only 90-seconds. Please feel free to share, and I’m open to any ideas you may have – DEREK oday is “Ash Wednesday,” but for the majority of years that I’ve identified myself as a… Read More ›
Ash Wednesday: a shift away from business as usual
Tune Town: I’m waking up this morning in Nashville, Tennessee. My publisher flew me in yesterday to do some author-ish stuff for a couple of days. Tom Albin, Dean of the Upper Room Chapel, thought it might be a fine idea… Read More ›
