Contentment
The past five days have been soul-filling and joyful. I have had such a wonderful time reconnecting with my friends Stacey and Steven, the Pacific Coast, and myself. In a usual year, this would mark the end of my vacation time. I would be refreshed and ready to return to work. In a usual year, […]
Sabbatical Begins
I have been looking forward to my sabbatical. The rest and recalibration has been necessary, but I have also been looking forward to spending some dedicated time with friends and colleagues about what life-long faith is really about. Along with interviews I will be making along the way, to go towards a podcast that I […]
The Book on My Lap: Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints
This is not a children’s book. This is a book for anyone looking for examples of real life, imperfect people engaged in relationship with the Holy.
Christian Witness
A Reflection on Christian Witness I tried something different this week. I took my children’s message from last week and turned it into a devotion on Philippians 3:12-16 for TVprays.org. Rather than posting both, I share the devotion with you here. I hope it gives you a minute to consider the witness of your life. […]
All We Love Is All We’ll Take
As I reflect on the passage of time, particularly over these past few months, I am reminded that part of the issue was my misunderstanding. I forgot that I do not own time. How I use time does not prove its worth. Instead, time is a tide in which I live. I am swept up in time and all I truly need is with me at any given moment.
Home.
Read: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,vanity of vanities! All is vanity.What do people gain from all the toilat which they toil under the sun?A generation goes, and a generation comes,but the earth remains forever.The sun rises and the sun goes down,and hurries to the place where it rises.The wind blows to the […]
Charles Brand Carlson (1946-2018)
Chuck Carlson A.K.A. “Dad,” “PaPa Chuck,” “PaPa Seal,” “Uncle Chuck,” “Pastor Chuck,” “Pasta Chuck,” “Pasta Ravioli” “Pasta Masta,” “the Walrus…” Charles Brand Carlson was born on May 6, 1946 to Kathryn Braithwaite and Anthony Scelza. The world was never the same. When Chuck was 4 years old, he was adopted by Kathryn’s new husband George […]
Call the Pebble Dare
I’ve had some things on my To Do list bearing down on me over the last few weeks. It’s all stuff for my dad’s memorial service. As I’ve procrastinated and procrastinated, I’ve had to admit to myself the nugget of denial that I am living with. The reality has hardened in this flood of grief […]
I Think They Call This Grief
“How are you?” When I was 13, my dad almost died right before my eyes. I always preface my reflections on this era with my age because it adds to the drama, but it really does matter. I turned 13 the day my dad was moved from CCU to a “regular” hospital room. And then […]
Where I Am From
I am from wind, from sunglasses, and flip flops. I am from the land of cold ocean waves and sky-scraping treetops. I am from wildflowers, the bright, unexpected spray of poppies. I am from generosity and hard laughter, from Carlsons, Scelzas, Adcocks, McLaughlans, and Braithwaites. I am from loud-mouthed opinions and revolving-door hospitality. From, “You […]