Some artists really get the incarnation.

Merry Christmas!

New signage for my study door.

Don't be hasty... #tolkien #entwatch

Here’s a Venn diagram of the nativity accounts of Matthew and Luke for your seasonal amusement.

Saw someone upbraiding someone else for having a hobby while the world is on fire, and, my friends: 1. The world is ever on fire, this is today's conflagration; 2. If you don't find time for rest and joy the fire will consume you; 3. Don't let people shame you for being an entire human.

I mean, she didn't mince words. #magnificat

Ember Days are coming. I'll be on a hermitage retreat next week at Presbyterian Clearwater Forest. I try to take quarterly retreats every year roughly aligned with Ember Days. Do you have any regular retreat plans that you observe? #emberdays

Question for Tolkienistas: When does a new day begin in the works of #Tolkien? Is it at sunrise? Sunset? Midnight? Midnight only makes sense if you have clocks, but hobbits had clocks according to Tolkien's own illustrations. Did various peoples reckon it differently?

Bad theology in Christmas songs is not a new thing, but this one is particularly egregious if for the sheer repetition of an obnoxious question. Hello? Do you never recite the Magnificat in worship? Probably not. #liturgy #marydidyouknow

I'm finishing my umpteenth read of LOTR and loving the Rose-Sam-Frodo throuple in the final chapter. #lotr #tolkien

My church has a Monday lunch program for high school kids who have open campus privileges. We often poll them to see what they want us to serve. Today it was bibimbap! I love everything about this. #pcusa

"A" is for Advent

It's effing Advent, bitches.

I took this picture 12 years ago of my then teenage kids carrying the tree home. Every year I post it on social media because it just speaks to the essence of the holidays, doesn't it?

I challenge you when writing your holiday letters to NOT use the word "busy" anywhere. Don't say "work has been busy" or "it's been a busy year for the Andersons" or "our teenager sure keeps us busy." Instead speak of the things that bring you joy, create hope, increase love, and make for peace.

#tolkien #chappellroan

There's only one thing that I know how to do well And I've often been told that you only can do What you know how to do well And that's be you, Be what you're like, Be like yourself, And so I'm having a wonderful time But I'd rather be whistling in the dark #tmbg

Waking up to snow on the ground this morning in my little house on the big lake. The chickens will be cross.

Did you know? The feast of Christ the King was added to liturgical calendars as a response to the rise in fascism in 1925. Pope Pius XI was frustrated over the popularity of the Mussolini movement #christtheking #pcusa #churchhistory

Clergy, do you have a national flag in your sanctuary? If so, where is it located? What do your denominational rules say about flag placement?

Ted, I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability with your children, and it must be hard being a single dad, but let's talk about healthy boundaries... #himym

Today's the day, Duluth! Sing along! You know you wanna. #DLH #ChristmasCity

And I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn’t for you meddlesome kids!

Someone needs to write the Ballad of Brad, the Sheep. #dlh #mn

#pcusa #transgenderdayofremembrance

Okay, presbies! It's Reign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday! What hymns you got on deck? I'll go first: Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven (GtG #620) When Twilight Comes (GtG #195) Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (GtG #83 but using the tune JEFFERSON from GtG #94) #pcusa #hymnody #liturgy

#dungeonsanddragons #dnd

And this, kids, is how you do a "sick burn" with elegance and class. #tolkien #lotr

Hey, presbies! Represent! Reply with a selfie at your church or place of ministry. #pcusa #presbyterian

The Council of Elrond, while 32 dense pages of exposition, is maybe the most stirring chapter in the whole of The Lord of the Rings for me. 1/3 #tolkien

Spirituality is not the opposite of religion. Religion is not opposed to spirituality. The enemy of both is calcified fundamentalism.

#tolkien #nerdpastor

If you are queer and you are afraid your right to marry may be taken away, contact me and I will either officiate your wedding or help you find someone in your area who will.