Julia McCray-Goldsmith, Author at LiftUpYourHearts

Ask, Seek, Knock, Persist

Some years ago I embarked on a long retreat with a new spiritual director, and at our first session he asked me how and how often I pray. Seems like a reasonable question for a spiritual director to ask, but somehow it made me feel a bit like when the dentist last asked me how well and how … Read the rest

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

Proper 11C

“Tell her then to help me.” How often have I said that? OK, maybe I’ve had the self-control not to say it out loud. After all, that would be what’s called triangulation. The example of which—in this case—being Martha asking Jesus to carry the uncomfortable message, rather than asking her sister for help directly. Indirect or triangular communication … Read the rest

From Fire to Freedom

Proper 8C

“Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” As a mother who has raised two sons, I am well versed in the primal human desire—especially among adolescent males—to incinerate things. But Jesus immediately rebuked James and John for suggesting that the inhospitable Samaritan village be destroyed, and the disciples continued … Read the rest

The Safety of Each Other

Proper 7C

Where is your safe place? I mean that question seriously, so take a moment to think about it. Is it in your home, your hometown, in a favorite place of retreat, or maybe even right here at Trinity?

The prophet Elijah, running for his life from the enraged King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, sought safety in a cave … Read the rest

Made for Freedom

Easter 7C

I heard through the grapevine that Rev. Karen preached on basketball last Sunday. And I was so glad, because I am utterly incapable of preaching on sports. It’s good to have a diversity of preachers who use different metaphors for our life in Christ, and—since basketball isn’t in my wheelhouse—I was grateful that Karen took one for the … Read the rest

Parenting, Imperfect

Easter 4C

Are you a sheep, listening for the voice of Jesus, or not? Are you a mother, or the child of a mother? On this Sunday, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, has the shepherd been good to you? Or perhaps more specific to the day, was your mother good? If you are a parent, is your own parenting good … Read the rest

The Invitation and the Imperative

Easter 3C

“Follow me.” Those are some rather stunning words to hear from Jesus. They’re also pretty familiar to us who go to church, so I want to invite you to listen to them anew, with the ears of your heart. And with the backstory in mind. “Follow me,” the resurrected one said.

Remember that, if you were Simon Peter, … Read the rest

Death and Our Song

Easter Sunday C

Over the past month, I have attended or officiated four funerals. The deceased were people of different genders and ages and ethnicities. Two were people who had lived long full lives and passed away peacefully. Two were people whose lives were tragically cut short. There were in some cases ashes at the funerals, in some cases bodies; … Read the rest

Wait with the Women

Palm Sunday C

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment, Luke tells us. OK, but I’m not really sure I believe it. Just the day before, darkness had come over the whole land and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. That is to say, all the most reliable measures of life—the rotation of the earth … Read the rest

You Do You

Lent 3C

My older son Amos is kind of the peacemaker in the family. And if you know my smart-aleck younger son Aaron—which many of you do because he worked as your youth and family minister last year—you’d know why we need a peacemaker in the family! Amos is also a very good designer: he’s done a lot of the … Read the rest