Author Archives: Mark Ekstrom

A few weeks ago I heard a song coming out of my son John‘s room that sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place the group. So, I went and asked John who he was listening to. He looked kind of sheepish and hesitantly said “the New Pornographers.” “That’s awesome,” I replied. They are one of myContinue reading “What’s in a name?”

Let the wise also listen and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill. (Proverbs 1:5) Before we begin, I would like you to take a deep breath with me. Deep breath in…hold it…hold it…now let it out. There. Repeat as necessary. When I’m stressed I have a tendency to hold my breath. And thoughContinue reading “The Rule of Benedict (Slight Return)”

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of themContinue reading “Unfinished Business or… You say you want a revolution”

An abundance of stamps Well I’m the enemy of treason Enemy of strife Enemy of the unlived meaningless life – Bob Dylan “False Prophet” I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10 My father-in-law passed away this weekend after a very long and full life. Even in the nursingContinue reading “Abundance”

(This is part 2 in a series on Joan Chittister’s book on the Rule of St. Benedict.) “The word humility has an odious tone in a world where the attention on ‘I’ is so much more central than the value of ‘we.’” Joan Chittister, Radical Spirit I once counseled a woman who was experiencing aContinue reading “Surrender”

We limp along, always seeking God but forever wondering why we must struggle against the lust for perfection, why all the prayers we say are not enough to release us from the albatross of ourselves.1 I feel like I’ve been drifting a bit lately. Not always aimlessly, but drifting nonetheless. That may explain why thisContinue reading “Structure”

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” ― Maurice Switzer “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” ― Proverbs 17:28, NIV “Keep your mouth shut and your own front doorstep clean.” ― Sean Connery I noticedContinue reading “Silence”

My new editor   Luke 24:13-35 I used to sleepwalk when I was younger. When I was small it would happen only once or twice a year. But, during my teenage years, I would sleepwalk on a regular basis. Like weekly. Or even nightly. It was disorienting to wake up in some random part ofContinue reading “Sleepwalking”

Easter Sunday The world hasn’t been the same since that first Easter dawn. In fact, I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that the resurrection of Jesus on Easter is the most important event in the history of the world. Nothing has been the same since. If Jesus had not been raised from the dead,Continue reading “With Fear and Great Joy”

Dead and buried, or so everyone believed. Buried yes; dead yes, but… Holy Saturday, the day after Jesus’ crucifixion, had to be one of the most difficult days that followers of Christ have ever faced. Can you imagine what it would have been like to be one of the disciples? Leaderless, hopeless, grieving their master,Continue reading “Holy Saturday”