Years ago, I heard a presentation by Tom Boyd, a philosophy professor from the University of Oklahoma. As a boy he spent summers with his grandfather on a ranch in Texas. One chore was to help harvest honey. After collecting, they would filter it and pour it into jars, then apply a label, “PureContinue reading “Honey and Other Things: Exploring Our Inner Selves”
Images of Our Lives: Resumes, Eulogies, Compost
PBS and New York Times commentator David Brooks has experienced a major spiritual transformation in recent years. One of his epiphanies is that many of us live with two sets of virtues in play. As he wrote in a column entitled “The Moral Bucket List”: It occurred to me that there were twoContinue reading “Images of Our Lives: Resumes, Eulogies, Compost”
The Gift of Disillusionment
It’s a hard word to hear…disillusionment. In our relationships: Someone we’ve trusted does something that hurts or disappoints us. We feel deflated, confused, betrayed. At work: The organization we are working for makes a decision that shocks or upsets us. We realize we’ve been trusting the organization to act a certain way, but it makes aContinue reading “The Gift of Disillusionment”
Love As Care and Confrontation
Years ago, a wise therapist said: “Steve, remember– love is a combination of care and confrontation.” That came as a shock. I had assumed “love” only meant “care.” But over the years I’ve reflected on this insight many times. This week I will explore how this perspective on love is reflected in our spiritual journeys.Continue reading “Love As Care and Confrontation”
Disciple Dog’s Mother’s Day Card
In my life and career, I’ve listened to many people describe their family life. I learned many people have had deeply nurturing relationships with their mothers. I know others whose relationships have been painful. And I know the experience can also be a complicated mix. I can affirm being a parent is not an easy task. Over theContinue reading “Disciple Dog’s Mother’s Day Card”
My Costco Hearing Test: A Spiritual Perspective
Like many other signposts of maturity, I knew if I lived long enough, my hearing would diminish and I’d need some help. But my male vanity was hesitant. “I can get by without hearing everything,” my inner stubborn voice muttered. But recently I decided to man up. I made an appointment at Costco to have my hearingContinue reading “My Costco Hearing Test: A Spiritual Perspective”
Catastrophic Molting, Self-Decapitation and Personal Renewal Options for Seniors
A long-time friend who follows this blog has a vacation home on Lopez Island in Washington. He recently sent me a photo and note saying he had just seen a seal on a nearby beach: He added this comment: “Steve, they call this catastrophic molting where the seal comes up on the beach for 26 daysContinue reading “Catastrophic Molting, Self-Decapitation and Personal Renewal Options for Seniors”
Mashed Potatoes
In the late 80s, I was teaching religious studies classes at Heritage College in rural Washington. One of the students was a hospice nurse. During a class discussion, she shared an experience that has fascinated me ever since. She was recently divorced at the time, but on good terms with her former husband. His father was apparently aContinue reading “Mashed Potatoes”
Disciple Dog and the Scary Storm
Today I want to introduce you to one of my long-time and trusted spiritual guides – Disciple Dog. We’ve been buddies for years. If I was working on sermons and feeling stuck, I would visit him. He always helped me see things more clearly. He was much loved by the congregations I served –people often saidContinue reading “Disciple Dog and the Scary Storm”
What’s A Good Death?
“I don’t want to be in pain.” “I don’t want to be a burden.” “I want to be at home.” I’ve often heard people say these things when talking about dying. There is often also an unspoken hope: “I hope my life adds up to something.” If these wishes are met, we might hear “Well at leastContinue reading “What’s A Good Death?”
Steve Jacobsen, Ed.D 