Monthly Archives: August 2015

Reflection on Mark 7:24-30

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Maren

It is the story about Jesus as racist that gives me insomnia, the way he can call this woman with the mentally ill child a dog, because that’s how he learned it growing up. I want to throw away the … Continue reading →

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Blessed are the children … Prayer from Argentina

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Maren

Father Luis Rey of the Santa Cruz Church in Buenos Aires wrote that this prayer began on a napkin in the Nazareth Garden at his church and over the years he has added to it, until he knew that it … Continue reading →

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I brought them roses, poem from prison

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Maren

Moved by Stephen Price’s poem that I posted yesterday I looked back at some of my prison poetry-teaching experiences and remembered this day so very clearly working in a women’s prison. The difficulties of bringing in anything physical as a … Continue reading →

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God is like a mother … visiting her son in prison

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Maren

My friend Stephen Price, who lives and pastors in Maryland USA used to live in Massachusetts and work at a correctional institution there. He had me come as a regular poetry teacher and some of my most intense spiritual memories … Continue reading →

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Kindle a Flame – One song, many uses

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Maren

A few weeks ago, Philip Garside, writer and publisher from Aotearoa / New Zealand sent a hymn to be shared “Loving God of Aotearoa. He’s sent a new song and suggests ways in which he has used it. It is … Continue reading →

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How do you perceive the Holy Spirit?

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Maren

There are so many images for the elusive Holy Spirit — wind and fire, tongues and, of course, ghosts — so familiar, so very much not dangerous. The Holy Spirit appeared in another form me today. How  do you perceive … Continue reading →

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For Tianjin, China

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Maren

For civilian fire fighters who went into this explosion armed with courage — we pray today. For the first responders who need a first responder we pray today. For families displaced, the schools where they are living, the assistance they’re … Continue reading →

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Benediction from Mexico

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Maren

A blessing from Pastora Karina Garcia Carmona of Iglesia Luterana Mexicana “Cristo” shapes my day and I think about blessings. Over the years I have heard so many benedictions (good-speakings). Some are rattled off rote and mean little more than the … Continue reading →

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Blessing of the Toilet Paper

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Maren

(and other supplies not covered by food stamps) In the spring Dwight Wolter shared his congregation’s mission project of blessing the toilet paper. Our little church in Madbury decided to do so as well and yesterday, August 9 we dedicated … Continue reading →

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Improv on John 14, for the first anniversary of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Maren

Do not let your hearts be untroubled. Believe in God and remember all of God’s children. In God’s house are many rooms, and Michael Brown is in one of them – not because he was the first African-American person betrayed … Continue reading →

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