Taryn R. Hutchison's Blog: The Glorious Muddle, page 31

Feeling Abandoned

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani.” As Jesus was dying on the cross, he cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” Reverting to his native Aramaic language, he quoted David’s familiar words from Psalm 22. He called on the distant “God” instead of his usual “Abba.” Just the night before, in the garden, he [...]

Beautiful Theology

More than a month before Christmas, traditional carols and songs about reindeer and snowmen bombard us everywhere we go. Maybe it begins too early, but I do love hearing Christmas music and it certainly gets me in the mood for the season. It wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Many pastors claim that Easter is the most [...]

What’s It All About?

It felt like every day this last week provided a new reason to celebrate. Not only did many students around the country have off all week for Spring Break, but the always-fun Pi Day fell on 3.14 (as did Einstein’s 134th birthday), followed by the ominous Ides of March and festive St. Patrick’s Day. This [...]

Some weeks are harder than others.

This is one of them. Every morning this week, I’ve struggled to get going and leave for work in the dark. The combined culprits are the dreaded Daylight Saving Time, a weekend jam-packed with activity, and the fact that the campus where I work is virtually closed down for Spring Break except for a skeleton [...]

International Women’s Day: A Time to Act Justly

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) We all, women and men, have an opportunity to join with others around the world to act justly. Let’s stand together for [...]

Flipping the calendar page

Turning the calendar page this morning symbolized two things to me. February is history. And March is back. March is here Fickle March roared in to Western North Carolina this morning like a lion, bringing its bitterly cold breeze. Hopefully it will skip out like a gentle lamb, flanking the month like bookends of the symbols of Christ [...]

I Dreamed a Dream (and I’m glad I didn’t say “no”)

Last week, I pondered whether I say “yes” to too many things, wondering what I should eliminate from my schedule. The comments I received – mostly via email so you aren’t able to see them – were a mixed bag. The jury is still out and I’ve received valuable input from every possible viewpoint. Today, however, I [...]

Just Say “No”??

Several years back, when I was in full-time ministry, a frequent topic at conferences was on Saying “No.” Setting Boundaries. Building in Margin. I never fully related to this, for two reasons. One is that I didn’t think I had a problem with saying “no.” Boundaries seemed to come naturally to me. If someone asks [...]

The Ya-Ya Chill

I hope my title intrigued you. The term – which I made up – means The Ya Ya Sisterhood Meets The Big Chill (and, believe me, I wasn’t about to call that the Big Sisterhood). I have just had a once-in-a-lifetime, wonderful yet difficult, weekend that I wouldn’t have missed for the world. My book club [...]

The Season of Hearts and Ashes

This year, the 40 days of Lent began the day before Valentine’s Day. One day after we might choose to “give up” sweets, we are bombarded with chocolates at the office or (if fortunate enough to have someone to love) an invitation to a romantic dinner. Hearts: Easily Broken I have a problem with Valentine’s [...]