A sermon preached on August 11, 2013 at Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, IL Psalm 139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even […]
A sermon preached prior to communion at Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, IL July 7, 2013 Psalm 30 I exalt you, Lord, because you pulled me up; you didn’t let my enemies celebrate over me. Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help and you healed me. Lord, you brought me up from […]
The majority of 2013 has been unexpected. And the more life changes occur, the more I’m grateful for my two hands. With both hands I’m able to hold the sacred and horrible, pain and joy, the already but not yet. In one hand I hold that I miss my mom, and in the other I […]
A Sermon Preached at Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, IL on June 9, 2013. Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was […]
I’m honored and excited to be a contributor to the forthcoming book Talking Taboo: American Christian Women Get Frank about Faith. Here’s what Rachel Held Evans and Brian McLaren have to say about this bold book: A diverse range of voices rise together in a song of solidarity and sisterhood in Talking Taboo. Bold and beautifully written, […]
Memorial Day weekend began Friday afternoon in a hospital room overlooking Lake Michigan as a friend and his dad got discharge papers and headed home to begin hospice care. While my friend was confirming the many details, I knelt down by his dad’s hospital bed, held his hand, and told him that I’m so grateful […]
I’m in a wedding this weekend, so this week’s shopping included typical female pre wedding items such as rein-it-all-in-and-prevent-Janet-Jackson-Super-Bowl-moments under garments, and the fancy blister Band-Aids for the perfect shoes that will inevitably tear up a few toes. During my quest for wedding garb I passed through the cosmetic carnival, and was stopped twice during […]
As with Prayer for Parents and Those Who Want to Be, you are welcome to use as a resource for Mother’s and Father’s Day services with permission © Ashley-Anne Masters. God our perfect parent, we pray: For those who will send flowers to their mom and those who will put flowers on their mom’s grave For those who […]
In response to the prompt: In 100 words or less, write “Why I Need the Resurrection.” I need the resurrection because a father didn’t live to see his son’s wedding because I pushed the “code” button myself when my Mom was unresponsive in the hospital because many still wonder if their stones will ever be […]
Recently I’ve had conversations with multiple young people who are all in very different seasons and venues in life. After listening to their stories, there are a few common themes which continue to keep me up at night and remind me of the power we pastors, chaplains, and mentors have to keep on working to […]
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