Melissa Kirsch writes The Morning newsletter on Saturdays for the NY Times. Because it’s the Saturday edition, her lead piece isn’t about hard news—it’s usually lifestyle oriented. As Kirsch says, “My beat is broadly about how to live a meaningful life.” Saturday’s edition contained this gem: My retreat into books while on the train isContinue reading “Protective Isn’t Always Productive”
Category Archives: community
A Little Love
For nearly a century, Teas Nursery occupied five acres of property in the Bellaire section of Houston. The family business began in Indiana in 1843, moved to Texas in 1910, and closed in 2009 with the death of John Teas. The family run company made quite an impact. It was not only the first businessContinue reading “A Little Love”
Community and Individuality
Lewis Smede’s Shame and Grace is a book that’s been helpful to me and to others I’ve shared it with over the years. Although written over three decades ago (1993), it is remarkably prescient in addressing some of the problems we’re now facing as a culture due to the erosion of personal boundaries. Here are some excerpts:Continue reading “Community and Individuality”
Getting in Line
This is a Fiddle Leaf Fig (FLF)—and this particular plant has quite a story. We acquired it more than 30 years ago when someone sent it for my father’s funeral. After the service, when the flowers and greenery were being parceled out, someone offered it to us and we took it. It was maybe aContinue reading “Getting in Line”
Loving in Adversity
Matthew 24 concerns the difficult days prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD (v. 15-20, 24). Jesus speaks of political turmoil, famines, earthquakes and persecution that will result in some losing their faith so that they “will betray and hate each other” (v. 10). He then states that “Because of the increase ofContinue reading “Loving in Adversity”
Thinking about our Feelings
The discussion in the marriage class was about learning how to make our emotions work for us rather than against us. Dealing with our feelings as individuals is challenging enough, but when you are working as a couple toward oneness, things can really become complicated. Here are some principles to build from. 1. Feeling areContinue reading “Thinking about our Feelings”
We Need More Pearls!
The Torah’s good neighbor policy (Deuteronomy 22:1-4) was about more than simply making sure everyone’s lost ox, sheep, cloak, or “anything else” (see v. 3) found its way back to it owner. It was about cultivating community. Lost animals or objects simply provided opportunities for relationships to be enhanced and grown. Not everyone would lookContinue reading “We Need More Pearls!”
Going Viral With Community
In Mark 9:30-31, Jesus told His disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection (9:30-31). They didn’t grasp what He was saying but “’were afraid to ask Him about it” (v. 32). Unfortunately, they did not show the same reticence in regard to arguing among themselves about “who was the greatest” in the kingdom (v. 34).Continue reading “Going Viral With Community”
Ritual And Community
The Passover was a meal to be observed in community. Although it was originally taken as a household, everyone did it at the same time and in the same time (Exodus 12:46-47,6,8). Later when Israel had settled in the land, everyone journeyed to Jerusalem in order to celebrate it as a nation (Deuteronomy 16:1-7). It was aContinue reading “Ritual And Community”
Sherlock Holmes and the Rich Life
I recently re-watched the BBC series Sherlock Holmes with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman and I think I enjoyed it even more than the first time. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea as the Brits would say, but this time through I paid closer attention to the relational dynamics. The first time around I hadContinue reading “Sherlock Holmes and the Rich Life”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 