A Very Present Help

A Very Present Help

We are told not to fear because God is in the midst of the city; because the Lord of hosts is with us as a very present help in trouble.

From Isolation to Solitude

From Isolation to Solitude

"Transform the pain of isolation into the spiritual discipline of solitude."

The Easter Prophets

The Easter Prophets

This year Easter comes to us with the full prophetic voice--the warnings and the promise.

Zombie Fires and the Waters of Justice

Zombie Fires and the Waters of Justice

The fires burning now are not new fires. They are the combination of countless zombie fires that we have failed across centuries to properly extinguish with the tears of repentance, the bath of atonement, and an ever-flowing stream of justice.

My Mother's World

My Mother's World

Lessons for Finding Church When the Building Is Empty

The One Without the Palms

The One Without the Palms

We know what the people were doing, but what was Jesus doing as he rode into the city?

annerobertson2
Cover image of New Vision for an Old Story

In giving us the Bible, God did not inspire its authors to give us a book of rules, a legal document, or a textbook on science, history, or even religion. God gave us a collection of stories, knowing well that stories are the fundamental building blocks of human relationship and community at all levels.

When we put on our story lenses and view the Bible, a totally different set of truths and questions are visible. I believe it is this set of truths and questions that God meant for us to use to guide our lives.

annerobertson2
Egrets and cows in Florida

My personal website needs a facelift and this is where I'm working on it. It will probably take months. So if you've ended up here and can't find what you're looking for, please still use annerobertson.com. All the old stuff is still there.  Some has been transferred here and any new blog posts are only here.  Clear as mud?  Hopefully things will get sorted out soon.

annerobertson2
Lightning Striking a city with Be Still and Know that I Am God

As January 6 unfolded, many of us were transfixed by the images on our screens, as we watched actions not seen since the British entered and burned the White House and Library of Congress during the War of 1812. Two pipe bombs were found on the Capitol grounds, as those carrying the flag of the Confederacy and sporting shirts that said "Camp Auschwitz" and "Civil War, January 6, 2021" roamed the halls of Congress, broke into both the House and Senate chambers, vandalized offices, and enjoyed taking selfies. For hours.

annerobertson2

A zombie fire is a wildfire that appears to go out but really just moves underground. There, it smolders and burns unseen until the conditions on the top are ripe for the fire to erupt again in its full, destructive measure. There are zombie fires erupting now in the Arctic as the planet warms.

annerobertson2
At Camp Canonicus with my mother

The earliest memories I have of my mother are her singing to me before bed. There are a number of songs that she sang--hymns mostly--but one was almost always in the mix, and it shaped me:

 

annerobertson2
We can't breathe sign at protest beside pandas at Hong Kong zoo.

Christians often turn to the Hebrew prophets for our holy days, which has given us a rather lopsided view of their message. We relish, "Comfort, comfort my people" and all the promises of streams in the desert, mourning into dancing, a return from exile, a savior to come, and life springing from a valley of dry bones.

annerobertson2
Body being loaded onto refrigerator truck

We all wish the times were different. Many of us are missing the comforts of sharing our rituals and traditions with others. But if you're actually mad that you can't gather for Holy Week services, let me gently suggest that you're missing the point of Holy Week. And, if you're opening your church doors and inviting people to gather, I would go as far as to say that you aren't just missing the point, you are negating it altogether.

annerobertson2
Captain Crozier leaving ship

Most of us today are not gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday. If we are waving palms, it is at a computer screen and in most of the country we don't even have palms outside our door to grab and wave.

annerobertson2

"If the soul is vigilant and withdraws from all distraction and abandons its own will, then the spirit of God invades it and it can conceive because it is free to do so"

annerobertson2
Priorities Cover

EXPLORING JUSTICE: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

This is a five volume series for small groups that examines justice issues through the lens of the Ten Commandments. All proceeds from the sales of these books go to support the work and mission of the Massachusetts Bible Society. The series is in production.

Volume I: Priorities--available now!