julierogersmartin

Art Lesson for Democracy

As I watched in horror as thousands of people, storm the nation’s capitol on Jan. 6th to overturn an election they believed was stolen from them, I was filled with rage wondering where the riot gear, teargas and bullets were because we all know that if the mobs of protesters on the forbidden capitol stepsContinue reading “Art Lesson for Democracy”

Walking Each Other Home

Although the virus numbers top the news, and the airports are eerily empty, so far I have peace. I’ve never been a real doom and gloom person. I try not to let my “head fears” control my life. I’ve always been much more concerned with addressing the “heart fears”. Head fears are: Can this really beContinue reading “Walking Each Other Home”

Fusion: The Art of Glass and Grace

“All the arts we practice are apprenticeship. The big art is our life.” –M. C. Richards The Fusion Retreat that Armandee Drew and I are leading Nov. 15-16th (as part of the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Seminary in Atlanta) uses the metaphor of glass as a way to enrich our spiritual lives. WhileContinue reading “Fusion: The Art of Glass and Grace”

TIKKUN OLAM-3 STEPS TO REPAIR THE WORLD

The question this season is: What are your New Year’s resolutions? My answer is: Asking people, “How are you moving toward health this year?” I believe the more we ask each other that question, the more we will move toward the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam–World Repair. Tikkun Olam is interpreted in Wikipedia asContinue reading “TIKKUN OLAM-3 STEPS TO REPAIR THE WORLD”

PARADISE LOST

Suitcases were packed, to go boxes were stuffed, and smiles were fading as we started our goodbyes. It’s the hardest part of family get togethers. Being a planner, I start the process with spreadsheets of food delegations and lodging possibilities weeks ahead. Everyone can say they had a part in the feast from the piesContinue reading “PARADISE LOST”

Books and Babies

Mismatched

Last Sunday I put on a stunning outfit–an expensive hand me down top (from a friend) with a pair of pants from my closet–and I walked out the door proudly. I taught adult Sunday school at church, and even led the children’s sermon. It was not until coffee hour, when I realized that my topContinue reading “Mismatched”

Black and Blue

I’m a mandated reporter, “one who is required by law to report reasonable suspicions of abuse.” As an educator of at risk youth for over 30 years, I’ve seen just about everything with regard to children and abuse. Things that still haunt me at night if I don’t pray through it. I’m here to reportContinue reading “Black and Blue”

Pulse

In medical terms it represents the direct measure of the mechanical function of the heart. In musical terms, a pulse consists of beats in a repeating series. It is generally what people tap their feet to. The tempo of a song is the speed of the pulse. I find it fitting that it measures thingsContinue reading “Pulse”

Soul Feast

Women in ministry see it all: families torn apart by addiction, mental illness, poverty and greed. We hear parents anguish over what they should have done differently. We try to bring light and hope in the midst of deathbed regrets, and newborns with feeding tubes. We long to sit at Jesus’ feet and rest forContinue reading “Soul Feast”