Three years ago today the world lost Rachel Held Evans, a gifted theologian and writer. Emma Green writing for The Atlantic argues that Evans’ legacy is “her unwillingness to cede ownership of Christianity to its traditional conservative-male stewards” and that…

This is the question I was asked by the son of an alumni this past weekend. The question followed a brief conversation on spirituality and our campus community (which started with some specific questions), so I knew my response was…

I spent the last several weeks watching Netflix. When I use the word watching, I actually mean binge watching and bonding with characters to the point you dream about them, vicariously live through them, and have to see “just one…

My spouse and I have taken youth to summer camp since 1985. In 1993 we found Passport Camps. Throughout the years Passport Camps had a feature in the evening worship service titled “Question of the Day.” Camp staff would interview…

Someone asked me today what kind of things I do at the university. For a moment I had to think. What do I do at the university? I can name many, many things I accomplish each day. I can also…

Yes, it is normal to talk about death and dying. Unfortunately, we often avoid the topics until they interrupt our lives. That needs to change. Death and dying are not only a normal part of the life cycle, they are…

My calendar is full. When I say full, I mean every moment seems to have been claimed. The kind of full where the beautiful, empowering stickers that adorn my calendar become lost in the vast amount of pencil marks. The…

Gaman (我慢) is a Japanese term of Zen Buddhist origin that offers a way to navigate challenging times. According to Julian Littler’s article in Worklife, The Art of Perseverance: How Gaman Defined Japan, Gaman is the idea that individuals should…

 “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver Mary Oliver’s question is a good one. The question invites us to intentionally consider our plan, our choices, our moments…and the finitude…

(Author unknown. Shared with me by my pastor spouse. Interpretation of the parable translated intentionally by me, KSB.) The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. “There are 5 things you need to know,” he…