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Mediocrity vrs Average

On Dec.03.08 , In Events, Life Transition, Spiritual Formation, Unfiled by

I believe it to be ok to accept and even celebrate, average.  Average is a good thing and represents those of us who plod along doing the best we know how to do. I am really getting frustrated with the concept of mediocrity.  I think it is a virus.  It settles for “good enough.”  It […]

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Transitional Train Wrecks

On Dec.02.08 , In Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Formation by

I love being a chaplain.  God gives the opportunity to be with people during times of a spiritual, physical, emotional trainwreck.  Transitions have a way of becoming a crisis for those who don’t have someone to walk with them.  It is a joy to be able to walk with those in transition.  In the past […]

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Hmong New Year: Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab

On Nov.29.08 , In Unfiled by

What a delightful day!  David Her, a student at Concordia, continues to help me grow in my understanding of the  Hmong culture.  First we went to a Hmong market and had lunch (traditional Hmong).  Then, we went to the Minnesota Hmong New Year celebration in St. Paul.  What a delight.  The Miss Hmong Minnesota pageant […]

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The wonderful body of Christ

On Aug.13.08 , In Spiritual Formation, Unfiled by

I know that it is really popular to rip on the Church (I myself have been guilty) but I have been really touched recently by some little things at Church.  There is a woman in our congregation who is brought to church every Sunday by her son.  I think she lives in a nursing home.  […]

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Listen With the Ear of Your Heart

On Aug.09.08 , In Events, Spiritual Formation, Unfiled by

Hospitality is the key to outreach with the Christian message.  There are so many reports of those, especially young adults, who will not connect with the Church because of negative perceptions and experiences.  This kind of damage is hard to undo but it can be reframed when we listen.  Listen to the story.  Listen to […]

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  • The Loneliness Factor

    I was at a luncheon that was serving as a listening post for seniors to describe their sense of loneliness and isolation. I knew that the population invited to this luncheon was one that would probably have a higher sense of isolation, but, what I heard was much more intense than I expected. A man […]

  • Social Networks and Aging

    It is interesting that research is showing two demographics experiencing social isolation in such as way as to impact health: Young Adults (18-22) and Senior Adults (65+). I have worked with both populations over the past 50 years and I continue to be amazed at the similarity of the questions raised by both groups and […]

  • An Eye-Opening Awareness: One More Transition for this Guy

    I sat at a luncheon two weeks ago that opened my eyes to a reality that I knew was there, but as the discussion unfolded I began to realize how the discussion, about to take place, was going to expand my thinking. As I listened to the needs of the people with whom I shared […]

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    When it comes to the human condition and a desire to change, we can become easily frustrated: we think that we want to change … but we really don’t. Paul expresses this contradiction well in Romans 7:15-24: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do […]

  • The Crisis of Loneliness

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