Monday catches a lot of grief! Just the other day, at the YMCA where I work, a member came in carrying his workout bag and his clothes for work. As he scanned in, with a bit of dread, he made…
Kneeling by wildflowers
“Gone to the fields to be lovely. Be back when I’m through blooming.” From the poem Camas Lilies by Lynn Unger As a general rule, I believe in attempting to live out of a mentality of abundance over scarcity. However,…
How might we honor those who labor for us and with us?
The first Labor Day was celebrated Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, thanks to the efforts of that city’s Central Labor Union. Leading up to that first Labor Day, there was a massive march by sweatshop workers in…
The rest we must have
My 9-year-old son has formally declared sleep his nemesis. “It’s so boring,” he complains. “I have too much I want to do.” He is, and always has been, wide awake and ready to play or create by 5:00 a.m. He…
TikTok trends and three questions you and your church should ask this year about rest
We’re a month into 2023, and you know what that means. People are starting to abandon their new year’s resolutions. Of course, not everyone sets aside their personal goals so quickly, but it’s likely most gyms have a large spike…
No church wants the Moby Dick of ministers
They call me Erica. Well, no they don’t. The folks at Buechel Park Baptist Church actually call me Pastor Erica, and the more formal members refer to me as Reverend Whitaker. We’ve been on the seas of ministries together for…
Finding sabbath in a hammock
As a pastor, the practice of sabbath is especially challenging. Sunday (the day most Protestants observe a Sabbath of sorts) is full of work-related service opportunities as a pastor. Preaching and teaching the Bible, leading in prayer, committee meetings, ensuring…
Want to find rest from the weariness of COVID-19? Breathe | #intimeslikethese
Sit. Breathe. Breathe deep. Breathe deep the breath of God.
After creating the universe, God took a nap: Why we need Sabbath rest
Western Christians today have a hard time celebrating Sabbath. That needs to change – for our sakes and for the sake of creation.
Relax your grip and you can go for miles
For most of my vocational life I’ve had to do battle with the overwhelming need to prove myself. This may have something to do with where I land on the Enneagram. As my fellow Threes will testify, “I succeed, therefore…
Lazy, hazy days of summer
When our son, William and his wife, Mary Kate announced to us their pregnancy we were thrilled to say the least! Our first grandchild! No, wait, there’s two?!? Twins! For months we have been anticipating their arrival and entering into…
The self-care struggle
By Starlette McNeill I am sitting in the chair and my feet are in the water. I agree that the temperature is good. My pedicure has begun but the argument in my head continues. Do I really have time for…