Author Archives: Mark Ekstrom

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2 Grace to you and peace. We are almost there.  WeContinue reading “Don’t Wait ‘til Christmas”

“For a lack of attentiona thousand forms of lovelinesselude us everyday.”Evelyn Underhill Mysticism “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4 (a reading for Advent 3) “To become a full human being we need to become contemplative, alert, and aware of inner and outer reality as it becomes known to usContinue reading “Advent Awareness”

Happy New Year! The season of Advent is now upon us and with it a new church year. Advent (from the Latin Adventus: “arrival”) is the busy – some might say hectic – time of preparation before Christmas.  There is an abundance of things to do.  Calendars are packed to overflowing, especially if you haveContinue reading “Advent Abundance”

The IN Crowd I’m in with the in crowdI go where the in crowd goesI’m in with the in crowdAnd I know what the in crowd knows The In Crowd – Dobie Gray Grace to you and peace. I’ve learned a couple of things about myself over the last couple of weeks that I wish IContinue reading “The IN Crowd”

Is this the start of another heart-breaker?Or something better beginning… The Kinks – Something Better Beginning Let’s begin againLike Martin Luther Zen… REM – Begin the Begin Grace to you and peace. We are now a week into autumn, though you would never know it by the temperatures.  The past few days here in Omaha haveContinue reading “Something Better Beginning”

With [the tongue] we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.  James 3:9 Perspective is everything. A couple of weeks ago my wife and I travelled to Colorado to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.  At sunrise on the morning of our anniversary, weContinue reading “Elevation”

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.  (Matthew 10:29-31) I will instruct you and teach you the way youContinue reading “I See You”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comesto me will never go hungry, and whoever believesin me will never be thirsty.”(John 6:35) “Many men go fishing all of theirlives without knowing that itis not fish they are after.”Henry David Thoreau I practice catch and release when I fly fish, which means thatContinue reading “Hangry*”

“I believe the way toward mastery of any endeavouris to work toward simplicity.” Yvon Chounard –Fly fisherman and founder of Patagonia Grace to you and peace. Does God only speak to us through the Bible? I’m sure there are those who believe that to be the case.  But, that kind of limits God, doesn’t it?  PerhapsContinue reading “Less Is More (More Or Less)”

Hark now, hear the sailors crySmell the sea and feel the skyLet your soul and spirit flyInto the mysticVan Morrison Jesus often slipped away to other places to be alone so that he could pray.Luke 5:16 Grace to you and peace. I remember one day, many years ago, sitting in my room listening to aContinue reading “Support Your Local Mystic”