It was 1984 and I was in the 5th grade at Ellis Parker Elementary School. I was still taller than all the other kids in my class, including the boys, and I was beginning to suffer the awkwardness of puberty. We lived in South Eugene, which was the part of town inhabited by children of [...]
It may not come as a surprise that I am prone to a bit of cynicism. I love parodies. I watch the Onion News Network and the Daily Show. I love Christopher Guest movies. I’ve learned to keep it from showing most of the time, but I can roll my eyeballs with the skill of [...]
Bob Wiley said that there are two kinds of people in this world – those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t. I would argue that the bifurcation of humanity has nothing to do with Neil Diamond and everything to do with sleep patterns. Are you a “morning person” or a “night person?”
If you [...]
I recently listened to a podcast on the subject of public parenting. It discussed what to do when you see a parent losing it with a kid in a public space, and it reminded of something I saw many years ago that still sticks in my head as some of the worse parenting I’ve ever [...]
Does your life ever feel like a perpetual game of Whack-a-Mole? Responsibilities popping up faster than you can beat them down? This is my life. Work today. WHACK! Load of laundry. WHACK! Shower and dress myself. WHACK! Reply to someone’s email (from last week). WHACK! Pay a bill – late. WHACK! Feed the baby. WHACK! [...]
Before the Left Behind book series was consuming the nation, there was Thief in the Night, a sinister and frightening movie venture into the popular mythology of the ‘end times.’ Back in the 70’s, large churches used to fill up their gymnasiums for screenings of this film and its sequels, and Christians were encouraged to [...]
I once heard someone say, “People who have power never think about it. People who don’t have power think about it all the time.”
Some recent events in my life have me pondering the dynamics of power in relationship. I believe there is a lot of truth in that quotation. I’ve lately been on the receiving [...]
There is something good to be said about making achievable New Years resolutions - namely that I’ve been able to keep them so far.
Volleyball
My teammates have been encouraging me in my quest to master my overhand serves. We play a match that is best 2 out of 3 to win. When we win the first [...]
I am often asked to describe Convergence, and I find that the perfect words elude me. When we gather together each year something special happens. It’s women leaders connecting. Beautiful. Honest. Empowering. Artistic. Creative. Enlightening. Refreshing.
And then I’m asked what it is that we actually do. Well… We Listen. Talk. Sing. Laugh. Dance. Pray. Grieve. [...]
There are many advantages to growing up Christian, but one disadvantage is the tendency to take marvelous Christian truths completely for granted. I’ve celebrated Christmas every year of my life, but the marvelous mystery of the incarnation did not begin to capture my attention until I was an adult. It seems that the more human [...]
Karlene co-pastors a church plant in Springfield, Oregon with her husband Josh, focusing on Christian community development and emerging church practices. Along with her duties as a pastor, Karlene is a proud mother, diligent student, awesome wife, brilliant blogger, avid coffee drinker, and addicted Sudoku player.
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