Savvy's Say

  • So, let’s start with a simple yet daunting question that someone will inevitably ask us anyway: Are you happy? Not in a I’m-entertained-and-enjoying-this-fleeting-moment sort of way, but in a deeper way, a long-lasting way. Are you fulfilled, content with your life’s meaning? Is your soul full and warm and restful, knowing perfectly well that someday you are going to die?


  • Hello family! So, it looks like Spring may finally be arriving. This winter was only my second that I’ve ever spent in Chicago, and goodness gracious did it feel long and cold. I cannot wait for the sunshine to return more fully. In the spirit of Spring, I was reading one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver; she loved nature and wrote on the natural world often.


  • So, this past Sunday we heard from Luke’s gospel about a time when Jesus visited Martha and her sister Mary. Short story even shorter, Martha is busy trying to do all the tasks that are expected of her as a hostess, while Mary hangs out with Jesus. Martha’s mindset makes sense. Remember that in this time and place how you treat guests is extremely important; the guest-host relationship is sacred. But when Martha complains to Jesus about the uneven division of labor, Jesus basically tells her she shouldn’t be so worried, and that Mary has actually done something quite right.


  • Hello family! So, this past Sunday we heard some of Christ’s words from Matthew’s gospel. Jesus is giving advice as he describes the life of discipleship: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). For me, Christ promises us some sort of relief in this passage. I think, in part, it has to do with the relief from wrongful priorities.


  • So, this past Sunday we had a powerful service where we expressed our grief, our anger, and maybe even some hope. By now most of us probably know that last week the General Conference of our broader United Methodist denomination decided to try and restrict LGBTQ inclusion even further. I fully admit that in my own personal opinion, this was a terrible and morally bankrupt decision. I find the position of the General Conference theologically untenable and deeply cruel. Of course, not everyone may agree with me, and certainly all Christians have the right to their own study and theological interpretation. But I wanted to offer my own take on some scripture concerning human sexuality.