Month of May

summerADVENTures

Arcade Fire

WYOMING

MOVE DAY

The powerful and righteous movers.

This package, while fragile, needed no label.

Go West….

We’re headed West to Washington.  This song may play inside my brain while driving but certainly will not be a soundtrack for the next week.

Reason #25 for living in Minneapolis: Galactic Pizza

There are things to write off the Twin Cities–6 months of Winter for example—yet there are things to love about this place such as Galactic Pizza on Lyndale. My favorite? The Paul Bunyan, which includes wild rice, buffalo and morel mushrooms. If you live near this joint a space superhero delivers one of these pies to your front door.

Lament of the Jobless

Assignment for Psalms this week:  write a lament psalm.  This is dedicated to all those who were/are jobless.

Lament of the Jobless

O God, why did you create me to fail?

Why must I toss and turn all night under this pile of debt called a home?

Don’t you know, God, the greedy who sleep soundly beneath shelters built of narcissism?

Remember the employee who worked the extra shift, so their kid could go to college, a dream which you planted in my soul!

Remember, God, the conversation we had on the drive from Salt Lake City.

Look at my self-worth which melted faster than a spring snow.

The Judas at the old company has traded my trust for a corner office with a view.

At the eve of my firing they hacked into my email with the clinking of their fingernails on the keyboard.

And then, with rumors and murmurs in the brake room, they smashed all of my dignity.

Do not let the jobless be forgotten and go on unseen;  remember how the greedy sit awkwardly leaning left, hoping no one notices the fattened wallets in their back,right pocket.

Hey YOU!

God, speak out; they mocked you all the time, thinking ‘damn-it”  was your last name.

Do not forget the ruthless who bow to the gods of fortune and fame,

The liturgies of your opponents go on

Like the pounding drip of that damn kitchen faucet I can’t afford to fix.

Holy Week

Good Friday to you all.  Above a more humorous take on this passion week.  Click on the image for fuller view.

AND, on a more serious note:  if you have time watch this video and if possible watch it in its entirety.

Padre, Gracias

This afternoon we celebrated  Father Greg Schaffer’s 50 years in ministry.  He has served  the  San Lucas Mission for 47 years.  Father Greg and the Mayan people of San Lucas have played an important role in who I am as a follower of Christ and leader in the church.   Since he was visiting Minnesota, my wife and daughter  finally had the opportunity to meet him and we all ate a Guatemalan meal made by Chona.  Many of those gathered had spent time at the mission.  There was much to celebrate since a  hospital, schools, businesses, housing and more  have been created since his arrival.  Yet, as usual, Father Greg pointed to God’s work through all of us and reminded us that , just as he has, we too have so much to gain from listening to the Mayan people.  Thank you -Father Greg- for reminding us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and be in solidarity with those in poverty.