The Daily Edify

Today's episode is about "joyspan," a new concept I learned about recently. Rather than "lifespan" or "healthspan," "joyspan" focuses on the quality of our life and how we might grow, adapt, give and connect with others, especially in the second half of life. The term was coined by Dr. Kerry Burnright, who served as a professor at UC Irvine for nearly 20 years, and who recently came out with a book, "Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half."

I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episode is about a conviction of Desmond Tutu, archbishop of South Africa, which later became a hymn. I share a story I learned about from the spiritual autobiography of him I read a couple of years ago, written by this long-time assistant, Michael Battle. In the midst of so much fear and brokenness in the world, it's crucial for me to remember the deepest truths and this story and hymn help me do that. I hope it helps you, too, friends. 

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episode is about the potent theological symbol of the table - a place of gathering, connection and sustenance. We remember who and whose we are. This summer, we've been "eating our way" through the Gospel of Luke with Jesus. His table practice was radical, inspiring the harshest criticism from his opponents (e.g. "a glutton and drunkard...a friend of tax collectors and sinners it"). This focus on the table has been blessing and inspiring me in this tumultuous time we are living through. How can we gather with others around the table to remind ourselves that we belong to one another? 

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episodes is about "thresholds" - those times of transition in our lives and what they offer to our spiritual lives. Thinking about our kids growing up, the changing seasons and the gift of being present to each moment given to us.

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episode is about the beatitudes of Jesus - why they still matter and how we can take our cue from them in these tumultuous times. Sorry for the long hiatus! It's good to be back today.

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episode is about the invitation to "get proximate." It comes from Bryan Stephenson, the celebrated human rights lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. He encourages us to get proximate, get close, to those who are on the margins, disfavored, homeless and incarcerated. That's how we truly see them and find deep connection. I learned a lot more about Stephenson and his work last November, when a group of us from our church went on pilgrimage to Alabama for three days, visiting Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham. 

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episode is about the "reverse golden rule." We've all heard of the Golden Rule, found in all major world religions - in Christianity, we hear Jesus say in the Sermon on the Mount, "Do unto others and you would have them do unto you." But the "reverse golden rule" is the opposite of that - treating yourself in the way you reflexively treat others. Sometimes the most difficult person to love is ourselves. This is very similar to the practice of self-compassion, something we've discussed on this podcast before (check out the work of Dr. Kristin Neff to learn more). The point here is not to be self-indulgent, but to love ourselves in such a way that we can bear God's image and live in and for love in the world, which is always God's dream for all of us. 

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episode is about the concept of finite and infinite games. It was developed by religion scholar James Carse, a longtime professor at NYU. He wrote a book of the same title in the mid 1980s and the idea is really generative. In a finite game, there is a clear winner and loser, the rules are static and the game ends. In an infinite game, the purpose is to simply continue the games, the rules change over time and there are no winners or losers. This reframing has helped me understand the work of building the beloved community differently, and given me strength to keep on keeping on. 

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episode is about the changing of seasons and the remembrance of All Saints' last Sunday. We recite Kathleen McTigue's poem, "They Are With Us Still," and wonder about the impact of the saints, the ancestors, those who've gone before us in this life - making our living possible, encouraging us on, modeling for us how to live the way of love.

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!

Today's episode is about a lovely blessing from Julian of Norwich, entitled "God's Love for Us." A friend shared it with me during my sabbatical and reciting it as becoming part of my morning routine. It has helped me relax into the bigness and beauty of God's love.

Feedback? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, friends. You are loved and never alone!