Gas stations are often the site for strange interactions with men, but today was the strangest. I was filling up my tank, ignoring cat calls from the next pump, when I noticed that shit, my tire is flat again. 🧵

My new therapist said I have the most convoluted brain hacks he’d ever heard of. So I’m fairly sure that means I win therapy today.

On social media this morning for all the Met Gala protests. But also the Met Gala looks.

Being a congregational pastor brings me such great joy. I suspect that whatever your call is, it will or does bring you joy too. Do you know what it is yet?

Community will also sometimes include boredom, and somebody is probably going to have to do the dishes, and move the chairs. If we want a village, we will need to show up, over and over again, for the mundane and awkward work. In person, if physically possible. But it’s worth it, in the end.

If you want true, authentic, diverse community, you are going to have to learn to tolerate awkwardness. Because in between the moments of the the sublime…. Oh boy.

Some of our congregational leaders, instead of saying we will read the Psalm “responsively,” have been saying “responsibly.” And it’s one of my favorite not- mistakes ever!

Sometimes I get to be Pastor Lura who talks about death and sexuality and Christian communism and resurrection and abundant life. And sometimes I get to be Aunt Lura and pick up a Sparkle Smash monster truck birthday present. On a really good day I get to be both.

It’s Christian communism Sunday! I’m kidding. Sort of. Listen to the Acts reading.

I have not seen enough of my male clergy colleagues speaking out about rape culture lately, and barely any talking about *that* website.

One of many takeaways from this conference: the joy of meeting seminary students at Chicago. The ones I talked to were so bright and interesting and creative in how they talked about church. They gave me some faith back in the future of our church.

I’m sorry, was no one going to tell me about Daniel Levy playing a gay pastor in Big Mistakes? These are at least three of my favorite things!

Human beings are so weird and beautiful and complicated. (Can you tell I’m at a conference full of Queers?)

If we don't crucify the idol of the white male Jesus, he will continue to crucify the rest of us.

My Lutheran church’s Bible study prayed in gratitude and thanksgiving today for a granddaughter’s conversion to Judaism. Because a good relationship with G/d is a good relationship with G/d, and worth rejoicing over.

Sometimes when I preach about Trans and Queer shit, cis het people think my sermon isn’t for them, and I’m only preaching to the Queers. No baby, I’m revealing the Trans splendor of God to you. You’re the one who needs to hear this.

“Which color tulips are you closest to?” has got to be the most charming question to be asked while a friend is looking for me.

There’s almost nothing that will make me leave my house for breakfast on a day off. Except the kiddo wanting pancakes with me.

BREAKING: Following the American threat of an “Avignon Papacy,” Robert Kennedy has begun a Diet of Worms

As a Queer Lutheran, I pray all Christians be as steadfast in their commitment to the teachings of Jesus, and as unfuckwithable, as Pope Leo XIV.

Beyond pumped that I get to be a part of this! lstc.edu/event/lstc-q...

Threatening “an entire civilization will die tonight” is nothing short of genocidal. This is evil, in its purest, most distilled form. And must be resisted with everything we have.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Love wins.

If you* helped lead worship this week, and feel a heaviness in your body even after sleeping, let’s talk about it. *speaking to both clergy and lay Christians here. Jews and people of other faiths can decide if it applies to them.

Who are the women in your life who would have stayed closeby during the crucifixion? The people who aren’t afraid of being close to someone else’s suffering? Who are loyal even when it is hard? #GoodFriday

There is something so stunningly beautiful about two faiths gathered tonight, both in small communities, reading the same story of God bringing liberation to a people oppressed. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and that God set you free. Chag Sameach #MaundyThursday

My morning dog walk reminds me that life isn’t all sunshine and roses, it’s downpours and dog shit too. But also that raindrops on magnolia are beautiful, and that dog kisses are worth cleaning up after them for.

Heyo! I’m nonbinary! And a pastor, an auntie, and chronically ill image of the Divine. #TDOV #TransgenderDayofVisibility #Transdayofvisibility

Sitting outside with the dogs, enjoying this absolutely gorgeous day, writing a sermon about torture and death.

Me: I should listen to my body to see what it’s telling me. Body: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAaAaAAA! Me: stops listening

This afternoon was perfection for racing monster trucks down a slide with my favorite kiddo.

In a conversation about communion, Vicar Jenny and I confused church leaders yesterday by using both “widdershins” (old fashioned for counterclockwise still used in some rural communities) in conversation and advising them not to say we are “doing lines” in church.

The daffodil blooms no matter what. Neither wars nor rumors of wars, nor personal storms can stop them. In this I find encouragement. #hopecore

When I speak about preaching and pastoring so that young people, and those alienated from church can hear, I'm speaking as someone who baptized 6 adults and one older teen in as many years.

Someone told me recently that I’m easy to tell the truth to. And it’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.

I was reminded (by a documentary I’m watching) how many literal Nazis the US allowed to immigrate here after WWII. And god damn that makes me extra mad about our current immigration debates. It also explains them.

Temu clearly does not know how we use their name as an adjective. But yes, we are living in “Temu United States,” and yes, “everything must go.”

Talking about the weather is not boring. It’s one way we can fully experience the present moment with anyone, even a stranger. Here we are, two animals in the sun. I feel wind in my hair. Do you? Does this heat feel bad to you, or good? What could be more important, more profound, than that?

I woke up from a vivid dream about hiding people in our church. And yes, that’s where we are in our country. Lawless “law enforcement” grabbing people of color off the streets and taking them to camps where, at best, they’re dying of medial neglect. And it’s naive to think only that.

Tomorrow I get to preach on my favorite Bible story of all time- the sisters who tell God his rule is unjust and instruct him to change it! (Numbers 27)

I don’t know, maybe bombing Iran will bring Jesus back. But if so, he will appear amongst the rubble with the schoolgirls, not in the bombs we drop on them.

Periodic reminder that ministry, like everything else, is just easier for white men.

It takes a village to raise a child, it’s true. But we also need a village as we grow old, a village to care for us when we’re sick, or grieving. We need a village to celebrate our successes. Humans just need villages.

What if the point of Bible Study isn’t knowledge or shoulds, but relief and awe?

It’s the Fat Tuesday that is also the day before Ramadan and the Lunar New Year. So if you need an excuse to give yourself something sweet, you have it. It’s practically a religious obligation.

“Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive.”

We talk often about not judging people’s weaknesses. But more often I see people being judged for their unique strength, their particular beauty, the great and sacred thing only they can bring to the world. And I think that’s even more dangerous.

Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work. "No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, no matter what has happened to you, you are wrapped in the unconditional love of God, and welcome in this place.”

Since my phone’s update, it is attempting to add human emotion when it reads texts to me. One might think there is nothing creepier than a flat, robotic voice reading “bwhahahahaa,” but one would be incorrect.

Hey you. Yeah you. God loves you. All of you. Even the parts you aren’t sure you love. God loves them too. God loves you.