Forward Day By Day – October 28, 2019

Monday, October 28, 2019

The world hates many of us, labeling us as “other” to exclude and erase us. If we don’t have a house in a certain neighborhood, shop at the right mall, or buy those fancy shoes—we are nothing. One year, when I was still teaching fifth grade in Housto….(View this...

Forward Day By Day – October 27, 2019

Sunday, October 27, 2019

I do a lot of talking and teaching about stewardship, which I learned through my parents’ examples and teachings. I remember a priest who told me he was ashamed because he could not tithe. He had struggled his whole life to financially support his two...

Forward Day By Day – October 26, 2019

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Jesus’ challenge in this verse from Matthew is a pretty big one for me. His question echoes in my head and heart when I consider my own bad words—the judgy words I use when describing those I don’t understand. Why is he so mean to LGBTQI+ people? Why is she so...

Forward Day By Day – October 25, 2019

Friday, October 25, 2019

For my whole life, people have told me that I have been given a variety of challenges because I am strong. People have said or done ridiculous things to me because I am strong, and they know I can handle it. This is exhausting. Just like anyone else, I want to curl up...

Forward Day By Day – October 24, 2019

Thursday, October 24, 2019

We tell each other the lies that we are not enough, that we are not loved by God because of who we love or because we are different. But what would you do if you knew God chose you? What would you say if you knew you were God’s beloved? How would you act if you knew...

Forward Day By Day – October 23, 2019

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

I occasionally struggle with feeling inferior—like I do not belong in certain places because I do not have the right credentials or the right last name. When I first started leading music and singing around the Episcopal Church, I felt intimidated because I am not...

Forward Day By Day – October 22, 2019

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

I pride myself on being able to pack for a ten-day trip abroad in one carry-on. However, this kind of packing magic makes my carry-on and backpack very heavy. I thank God for people who help me put my carry-on in the overhead bin. I’m not sure if they do ….(View...

Forward Day By Day – October 21, 2019

Monday, October 21, 2019

I always wonder about the adages that say the company you keep reflects who you are. A saying in Spanish cautions, “Tell me who you hang out with, and I will tell you who you are.” I wonder why the sayings don’t suggest that those of us who consider ourselves to be...

Forward Day By Day – October 20, 2019

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Ah, the persistent widow…the king was annoyed by her and decided to grant her justice because she was exhausting him. I wonder if God ever feels this way about me. It is comforting that Jesus uses this parable to teach us that we need to pray always and...

Forward Day By Day – October 19, 2019

Saturday, October 19, 2019

I am always wondering about and questioning the Bible, my faith traditions, and my own beliefs. Many years ago, some priests were talking about a movie in which the filmmakers wondered about the parts of Jesus’ life we don’t have records of. Some of the ideas in the...