Season 2, Episode 1 of Messy Jesus Business, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh IN THIS EPISODE: In Season 2, Episode 1, we explore the following question: what does building a Church of Oneness really mean? The answer is messy. “I think a lot of people think heaven is the suburbs. And I’m very clear that’sContinue reading “Father David A. Jones: The Intersection of Oneness and Rugged Individualism”
Tag Archives: Chicago
Staring At My Pile of Dirt: The cost of growing the kingdom of God in Chicago
I am glad to share this recent post from Daily Theology with all of you. It is written by one of my friends, Dannis Matteson from Catholic Theological Union, who writes from the messy trenches of Gospel living in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago. Let us hold their ministries in prayer andContinue reading “Staring At My Pile of Dirt: The cost of growing the kingdom of God in Chicago”
Street violence and holy darkness
This past Monday one of my former students was shot and killed on the streets of Chicago. Advent is a time of darkness. Sometimes it is obvious to us that there’s a such thing as holy darkness. And, sometimes the darkness is so cold and heavy that it seems to swallow our hope. During Advent weContinue reading “Street violence and holy darkness”
a holy man, a graduation, and a NATO protest
Yesterday I met one of my heroes. Father Louis Vitale is a model peacemaker and Franciscan. He received an honorary doctorate in ministry from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Fr. Louis’ accomplishments include many actions of non-violent advocacy, education, and much contemplation about the goodness of God. He has spent two years in jail for actionsContinue reading “a holy man, a graduation, and a NATO protest”
love, peace, Jesus and NATO
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightlyContinue reading “love, peace, Jesus and NATO”
adventures in the Spirit, part 4
Living by the Spirit that is Truth is not comfortable. We can feel crammed into corners, we have to give up control, we have to trust others. Sometimes we are exhausted but still have to keep pushing ourselves. Our bodies can hurt, but we still have to carry heavy loads and keep moving onward. WhenContinue reading “adventures in the Spirit, part 4”
adventures in the Spirit, part 3
A wise priest once helped me understand what Spirit means. Spirit, he said, is all that relates beyond boundaries. Our Spirits can transcend time, place and bodily nature to relate to our God, the Great Source. Jesus said His Spirit would be with us always. At times, it seems as if the spirits of thoseContinue reading “adventures in the Spirit, part 3”
adventures in the Spirit, part 2
The Spirit of Truth has a lot to teach us when we open our minds and hearts. No matter what our motivations are, God is alive and hard at work. God speaks to us through the stories of our lives and through the adventures we live through. As we move, we do the work of tryingContinue reading “adventures in the Spirit, part 2”
adventures in the Spirit, part 1
I am an urban-educator who grew up in the country. I often feel like my entire life is a Truth-seeking adventure. I grew up in Northeast Iowa in a very rural community. Currently, my parents live in an unincorporated village where the town welcome sign proudly announces 27 residents. Practically everyone I knew growing up looked andContinue reading “adventures in the Spirit, part 1”
love upon my heart for teens like Trayvon
A teenage boy, Trayvon Martin, was killed a month ago in Florida. Since then his death has heated up the national news and sparked highly emotional questions, comments, protests, prayer, rallies and vigils. We’re angry, lamenting and mourning. In our hearts we know something is wrong and we are acting for peace. Last week aContinue reading “love upon my heart for teens like Trayvon”