New Wine, New Wineskins

Growing up, I was often taught that holiness and grace are two distinct aspects of God or moments in God’s dealings with sinful humanity.  God’s holiness was almost always discussed in spatial terms, God’s being far from sin and evil.  The church’s holiness was often viewed similarly as a physical separation from sin and evil.  [...]

(From a Celtic prayerbook) O God I place myself with those who struggle this night I am here in need I am here in pain I am here alone O God, help me  

Growing up, I had a number of teachers lament that “Teaching is like being pecked to death by ducks,” including one who proudly displayed a large banner with the saying over the chalkboard.  The full force of the proverb has eluded me for all these years.  Teaching younger children myself has, however, revealed it.  Ducks [...]

In The Way of Ignorance, Wendell Berry describes animal factories as “a vision of Hell” for its dis-creation, unhumanity, and exploitation.  This week I completed the required entry health examination and feel the travel health center has become the clearest “vision of Hell” in my limited experience. The center is a maze of exam rooms [...]

In the past few weeks, plans have changed rather drastically.  Part of the confusion with these changes is figuring out what it means to be intentional in this location without a clear sense of purpose or direction.  On one hand, I don’t feel like I have to be “needed” for the trip to be worthwhile.  [...]