Author Archives: Pastor Catharine

September 13, 2021 This past week while riding my bike – yep, another cycling epiphany! – I spied a bit of unexpected beauty and persevering joy.  Along the edge of the bike path, in a huge area of overgrowth and unruly weeds, a single morning glory raised its delicate blossom to meet the sun.   Humbly,Continue reading “Rising Above the Weeds”

August 29, 2021 I wasn’t going to blog this week.  I couldn’t imagine how to address what is all around us.  What could I possibly have to offer anyone when I feel at the same time so very overwhelmed yet empty? Every week, I think – things can’t get much worse.   This week has to be the end ofContinue reading “Glitter in the Dark Times: Unexpected Lights of Hope and Celebration”

August 15, 2021 I don’t know about you, but I’ve just about had it.   Never in all my years (and I’m ancient) have I seen such an epidemic of ego-centricity and the subsequent violation of God’s plan for the goodness of the world. Things are just going from bad to worse: Widespread flooding where itContinue reading “What Have We Done to God’s Plan?”

August 1, 2021 When I watched the Wizard of Oz as an adult, I was realized I had missed a very important  lesson embedded in the Wizard’s encounters with Dorothy and her friends.  The Wizard’s chamber, with its flashes of light, mighty rumblings, and the huge ferocious visage projected on a screen terrified the group andContinue reading “Random Musings: Toto’s Revelation and the Pathway Home”

July 18, 2021 It is amazing how all of life intersects. Though the intersections may catch us by surprise, they always can teach us the most transformative lessons if we will just pay attention.  For example, I have learned a lot of life lessons over the years through things as simple as jogging and cycling. Continue reading “Random Musings: Commit and go!”

Ever wonder how glass is made?  Me neither…until it became a random musing for me this week.   I had no idea that making glass requires sand to be melted – something that can only happen at 3090°F!   Before the melting process begins, the sand is mixed with sodium carbonate and calcium oxide and, depending onContinue reading “Random Musings: The Shattered Made New”

June 20, 2021 “If you are healthy, wealthy, and wise, you are blessed!”  “I am a favored child of God, just look how God has blessed me!” These statements are common remarks made by adherents to the prosperity gospel; the implications being if you AREN’T blessed in these ways, obviously God doesn’t like you so much.  Continue reading “Random Musings: The Responsibility of Blessing”

June 6, 2021 I love the way God teaches, corrects, transforms, and affirms our lives through the unending osmosis between the holy and the human if we will only pay attention and get with the program in this thing called life.   Why? Because I believe these teachings, which often come in the most benign ofContinue reading “Random Musings: Lessons of the Four-Way Stop”

May 23, 2021 This last year and a half has been a time of pandemic insomnia and consequent random musings.  For this news junkie, my musings have been informed by the pervasive questions of: “Where is God in the Midst of All This?” “Why, if we claim to believe in God, why don’t we takeContinue reading “Random Musings: What if We Took God Seriously?”

May 9, 2021 Today I am going to begin a new blog series called Random Musings: Matters of faith that I am seeking after as I continue to ask questions, seek answers, and deepen in my own faith. Yes, I am a pastor, though now retired.   Yes, I have both a master’s in divinity andContinue reading “Random Musings: ‘Wrapping our Minds Around God”