joyofthejourney

Improv Comedy: Make Bold Choices

This week, one of my improv teaches told me that I have been a bit of a shrinking violet in class. One rule of improv is to “make bold choices” and that is exactly what they pressed me to do: own the stage, share my weird ideas, and get out there! Bold choices, they teachContinue reading “Improv Comedy: Make Bold Choices”

Walk in Beauty

John 20:1-18 Walk in beauty. I heard that phrase this week,and have been wondering what it means. How do we walk in beauty? Most importantly: How do we walk in beauty when we feel like giving up? I have been thinking about this painting this week. Do you know what it is of? … It’s a paintingContinue reading “Walk in Beauty”

A Revelrous, Rebellious Run

While it was still dark, I awoke.I wasn’t ready, but I awoke.I slipped on my running shoes, grabbed my pack,with its water and sugary snacks,and streamed out the door. The dawn whispered as I arrived at the trailhead.My friend A started his GPS as we took off, running.I wondered, could I do it?Uncertain, I pressedContinue reading “A Revelrous, Rebellious Run”

Simplicity

Mark 10:46-52 “in light of each day’s questions, I am never prepared. Today, again, I have nothing to offer but a handful of old prayers, worn down by relentless abrasion of doubt, and a fragment of dream that plays on in my head only half-remembered. Still, the doves coo and circle through the pines asContinue reading “Simplicity”

The Bread of Life

John 6:24-36 Hungry and desperate, the people press in on Jesus from all sides. I have a bread, Jesus tells them, that will always fill you up and satisfy you. Their mind hovers on these words: I have a bread that will fill you up. After all, this is a people, who know what itContinue reading “The Bread of Life”

A Tribute to the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs

This week, I have been thinking about a different Scripture than the one read today. This week, I found myself thinking about the Scripture that says: Jesus wept. This is Jesus’ response to the death of a good friend named Lazarus. Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill, goes to see him and, upon arrival, learnsContinue reading “A Tribute to the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs”

Hiking the AT (or Ode to Tacos)

It was over tacos. I decided to start hiking the Appalachian Trail over a meal of tacos.Of course, it was over tacos. I feel like my hiking life could be measured in tacos, defined by tacos, counted by tacos. Five years ago, my first hike with the Hudson Valley Hikers was a Taco Tuesday hike.Continue reading “Hiking the AT (or Ode to Tacos)”

The Passing of the Peace

Matthew 9:35-10:14 Peace be with you. In the Christian faith, we have a tradition called “the passing of the peace”. During the passing of the peace, we say to one another: “May the peace of Christ be with you” or maybe just “peace be with you” and the other person responds “and also with you.”Continue reading “The Passing of the Peace”

The Walk of Trust: A Pilgrimage to St. Louis

In May 29, 2017, I walked in a pilgrimage of trust in St. Louis, Missouri, initiated by the monastic community from Taize, France. The walk amplified local black voices. During the walk, I got to hear stories from a priest from Ferguson, a water engineer from Nebraska, a nun from St. Louis, and a localContinue reading “The Walk of Trust: A Pilgrimage to St. Louis”

The Trek to Vegetarianism

I became a vegetarian six years ago. At the time, I had been eating vegetarian for months but I was reluctant to take the plunge and officially become a “vegetarian”. “What if I changed my mind?” I wondered. Well, starting January 2011, I decided to give it a try. “I can always revert back toContinue reading “The Trek to Vegetarianism”