Culbert Report

  Sometimes I like to remind myself that the next step is simply to invite God in. As I gaze upon the mess I've made of things: the words hastily spoken, the thoughts that have ruled my mind, my quick resolve to act and fix it all (without a single nod in a heavenly direction,) often the most effective practice I can muster is to stop, survey the damage, then invite God into it. I'm capable of much without God. And most of the time, after I've displayed my awesome capabilities, my invitation begins with that time tested prayer, "help!" Today, in Mark, we see a different kind of invitation unfold. With consequences that continue to shove themselves into our lives today. Here comes the King, riding his donkey into a city literally cheering him on. This turbid mixture of Mark's, churning with prophecy, tradition, and celebration, creates a bit of a confusing setting. One could preach on this passage every day for the next few years and never cease finding a new c...

If I sit long enough, I can still hear the soft tumble of water on the sandy beaches of the Costa Del Sol - it didn't seem like January and certainly didn't feel like the beginning of the year we've just had. As we trudge into 2021, shlepping the grief, heartache, and disappointment in the wake of what has been 2020, it's eerie to look back. Sometimes painful, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny in its irony, but mostly just strange. And sad. As dictated by tradition, we write our annual "best of" letter in January to our faithful, loving, and incredible partners. We pull out the highlights of the year that has passed, package them up with a tight bow of thanksgiving and appreciation, and send this collection of precious moments to our dearest family and friends. One of those categories is "best books." And while often it's been simple to choose one of many brilliant options, this year, the books I've read have marked this strange season of 2020 w...

 If you're joining me here from my Epistle post: welcome! If you'd like to receive my Epistle updates, please just send me an email. Here is the assignment I gave on writing a lament, a very helpful practice for this very unexpected and challenging season. LITERARY CLASSICS - THE CONFESSIONS LAMENT 2020 A PRACTICE OF LAMENT Psalms - the Prayerbook of the people of God - are the story of human response to the action and presence of God. 67 of the 150 Psalms are lament. Lament is honestly bringing the brokenness of the world to God,  clinging to God’s history of meeting brokenness with redemption and grace. Psalms of lament are very direct speech and very demanding, not polite. The Psalms refer generally to “enemies” - anything that is against us and against God. They ask not “why?” but “how long?” They demand a response from God - because of who God is, who He has shown himself to be. Questions for reflection before writing: What is the difference for you between “why” and “how...

The Great Banquet  (Luke 14: 15-24)           When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.   At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is now ready.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, “I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.” Still another said, “I just got married, so I can’t come.” The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.”...

Don't like brussel sprouts? No worries, these don't taste a thing like them! Our children asked for second (and third) helpings and as Dan remarked, they easily outshone everything else on the table. We took them to our Thanksgiving dinner as well as a Christmas party as they travel and reheat surprisingly well and complemented those more traditional dishes. Ingredients: 2 slices bacon 1 lb. brussel sprouts (thawed if frozen) sliced in half 1/2 an onion sliced into thin loops Salt and pepper to season 3 TB maple syrup 3 TB apple cider vinegar *optional 1/4 cup raisins *optional Directions: If using raisins, put them in a cup with the apple cider vinegar and set aside. (Raisins can soak over night for brighter flavor.) In a cast iron skillet, cook 2 slices of bacon over medium heat. Remove bacon from pan to crumble once cool. Using the hot bacon grease, add brussel sprouts and onion slices to the skillet and immediately season with salt and pepper. Adjust heat ...

Today Anna and I joined our visiting friends from Eastern Washington on a trip to Christ the Savior Cathedral downtown. Often, when we host visitors, we try to resist the temptation to tell them everything we think we know about the people and places around them. From our own experience, we've learned that one of the greatest joys of travel involves coming into contact with a new culture, new ideas, and new traditions, and learning about those things first hand from the people who live there - that is what really creates a lasting impression and connection with any new place and people.  We've created a spiritual tourism guide for Moscow which embraces this concept based on the Field Observation Process (FOP) featuring first hand interaction with the places and traditions of Russia, all within the context of building new friendships with the people that live here. The first trip, Spiritual Tourism 101, involves two of Russia's most spiritual locations: Christ the ...