Faith in the Cracks

We are at the turning point of winter. This time has been recognized by many cultures, across many centuries and across many continents. Imbolc, St. Brigid's Day, Candlemas and Groundhog Day all arrive in the first days of February and mark a turn toward spring. Winter is not yet done, however ne hope, new light, and new life are beginning to come forth.  Support the show

 In Matthew’s Gospel, the first disciples leave their nets, their boats, and their families to follow Jesus—immediately. What gives someone the courage to step away from what’s familiar into the unknown? In this episode of Faith in the Cracks , we explore what it means to recognize God’s call, to trust when we can’t see the whole picture, and to take the next faithful step when clarity is still un...

What does peace really mean when justice is unfinished? In this episode of Faith in the Cracks , we listen again to Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and reflect on his warning about “negative peace”—the calm that comes from avoiding tension rather than confronting injustice. From Birmingham in 1963 to Minneapolis today, we explore how faith is tested in moments of disruption, a...

  In this episode of Faith in the Cracks , a scene from War Horse becomes a mirror for our own moment: two enemies stepping out of the trenches to show compassion in the middle of war. Reflecting on recent events in Minneapolis and the deep divisions they have exposed, we name the tragedy of lives lost, the danger of becoming entrenched in opposing narratives, and the ways our humanity can slip fr...

As 2025 comes to a close, we pause to reflect on where faith has met us this past year. May we look back and see God at work in our lives. And as we look ahead to 2026, let us trust that God has gone ahead and as we ask God to make ways were there were none before, we seek to be open to the unexpected ways in which God can move within our lives.  This podcast will take a two week break and return...

Joy and Light have been a theme in the previous weeks. this week, we welcome the joy and the light of the Christ Child into the world. May we step back from the crazy of Christmas as see God's presence in the fragile and vulnerable Christ Child.  Support the show

As we enter the 4th week of Advent and as we are in midst of Hannukah, light continuing to grow is a central them. With recent events like the shooting in Australia, we see darkness rear up, but we are reminded that light, although it starts small, grows as the flame is passed. The light grows through each act of hope, each act of love, each act of peace. May we be the light in the world and share...

Advent is the first season of the liturgical year in the church. It is a time when we wait for the Christ child to be born again and we wait for Christ to come again. It is a time when we wait and we talk about where God is at work in us and around us. Waiting is not about sitting around doing nothing, it is about watching, being aware and ready to see the unexpected delights of God. What are you...

The Apostle Paul in writing to the young churches of the New Testament always expresses his gratitude for them. Amidst the conflict in the communities and the turmoil of Paul's life, he always gave thanks. Gratitude can steady us in stress and chaos. When anxiety wants to pull us away from what's good, practicing gratitude can help to quiet our fears. For what are you thankful? Support t...

If you have been outside, you have noticed leaves everywhere. Bags of them on the side of the street, leaves still covering the lawn, and leaves lazily floating downward. They remind me of God's relentless grace. Leaves keep coming, like God's grace. Unearned, uncontrollable and endlessly abundant. As you look at the leaves, remember God's grace falls where it will and it is already...

 Drawing from 2 Thessalonians 2 and Julian of Norwich’s assurance that “all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well,” this episode explores how faith can flourish in the cracks—where life is messy, uncertain, and still held by God.  Support the show

As the government shutdown continues and we are seeing food insecurity problems skyrocket with SNAP not being funded, how can we help? I think by and large people want to help and don't know how. For food insecurity issues right now, donate a few dollars when you buy groceries. See what they have - whether the Thanksgiving bags or donation bins. Talk to churches in your area as many who have...

Minor Prophet Habakkuk laments to God and shares his frustration at the wickedness he sees around him. Feels familiar. God answers that if it seems like justice has not come, to wait, for it is coming. When there are destructive hurricanes, corruption, children going hungry, and all that we lament in our world, we can cry out and like Habakkuk who stands his post and keeps watch, we can engage in...

Thomas Cahill's book "How the Irish Saved Civilization" walks through the downfall of the Roman Empire and how in the chaos the world almost lost all of the classic literature, poetry, theology, philosophy and that once Rome fell, there were no more great buildings or master art. When chaos ensures, creativity dies.  Enter Ireland. Unconquered by Rome and a place where monks copied...

St Brigid of Kildare was one of the historical people I encountered on my pilgrimage to Ireland. She was a bold figure and her historic life was mixed with the folklore. She established a monastery in Kildare where nuns and monks worked, lived and prayed side by side. Her leadership was recognized and she was made a Bishop - which the church later denied. I wondered what she might have to say to u...

I have just returned from a Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage in Ireland. We encountered many "Thin places" and learned much along the way. Join me in pondering the question of "How will you live?" A question asked by our guide while at the monastic site in Glendalough. A safe space for those needing refuge and a place that many have been buried. Some of the tombstones are now nam...

Celtic Spirituality refers to Thin Places. Those places were we feel closer to God. These thin places can be in holy sites but they can also be just about anywhere. Look for thin places this week. Notice when you feel God close at hand.  Support the show

The past couple weeks have shown the deep divide. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has brought all the rage from both sides.  Some had no idea who he was. Others revered him. Others were hurt by his rhetoric. And where ever you were, that is okay. At the end of the day, the country has been reduced to battle language and war. A funeral became a political rally. We have seen each other more as ene...

There is a famous camp song "They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love." Too often, the world doesn't know us because we don't act in love. We are human. We are imperfect, but the world is watching. They want to see how we respond when times are tough.  How can we work to embody the love of Christ and to lift one another up?  How can we work to bear each others burdens? Some...

This week has been a lot. Another school shooting, death of Charlie Kirk, wars in the middle East and Ukraine, and any number of person issues for any of us. It is too much. People often say, "God won't give you more than you can handle." However, that is toxic theology. God walks with us, but God is not out to break us. We can cry out and we can lean on others, and we can trust in...

John Newton, who wrote  Amazing Grace  was a slave trader until a profound experience with God's grace changed him. Jesus talks about forgiveness and grace being given and the need for it to be passed on in the Gospel of Matthew. How might we be people who live by grace? How might we be people who offer grace to others instead of keeping score?  Support the show

Life can be more difficult when we feel the need to hide our truest selves. We need spaces in which we can be real. Church has for a long time been a place where it often feels like one must "keep up with the Joneses." What would happen if we made church a space where people could be who they are and where they are? What happens if we have courage enough to be real with one another and w...

Whose Line is it Anyway always used the phrase "and the points don't matter." However in life in community, we all have unique gifts and talents and more like a painting by Georges Seurat in the style of pointillism - every point matters. So bring yourself, know that you are enough, and know that your point matters.  Support the show

Lego sets come with instructions. The bigger the set, the bigger the book or books. There are step by step instructions of how to build what's on the box. The Bible is the Christian Instruction manual. It is the inspired Word of God that can help us learn more about who God is and who God calls us to be. We learn from the troubles and trials of God's people and learn that the promises of...

It is August so it is back to backpacks and football games. There is a rhythm to the fall and honestly there is a rhythm to everything in life. Whether it is the back to school routine instead of more laid back days of summer or it is the church year which has high holy seasons as well as ordinary time, or it is your spiritual self that has times of harvest and excitement and other times of rest a...