Home & Blog | Lynne Baab

Praying about the flow of time: Piano month and square dancing month!

Lynne Baab • Tuesday September 3 2024

When I was six, I begged and pleaded for piano lessons. I have no idea where that desire came from. At seven, my Mom agreed I could start lessons, and I continued for many years. In the 70s and 80s, I accompanied hymns and praise songs at church and conferences, but gradually, my piano playing became a private joy. I still play hymns and praise songs, and they help me pray. I can totally get on board with September being National Piano Month. I’m trying to play the piano more often in September to celebrate this cool holiday I just learned...

Read full article »

Praying about the flow of time: Labor Day

Lynne Baab • Tuesday August 27 2024

Just over 30 years ago, I served as a pastoral intern at a Presbyterian church. For the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the pastor wanted to get away with his family so he asked me to preach. (For my friends in other countries, Labor Day in the United States is a national holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September. This year, it is September 2.)

As I pondered the sermon, I kept getting a mental picture of a big mural of individuals doing joyful work, including industry, farming, homemaking, parenting, Christian ministry, and many forms of serving and caregiving. All the...

Read full article »

Praying about the flow of time: Ordinary witnesses

Lynne Baab • Tuesday August 20 2024

As I discussed last week, evangelism and discipleship are two of the themes of Ordinary Time, the current season of the church year. I’m on board with discipleship, and I enjoy thinking and writing about how to grow closer to Jesus. But even after 50 years of walking with Jesus, the word “evangelism” arouses feelings of guilt and pressure. If you’re like me, keep reading.

Thirty years ago, a friend served on a jury. When she told me about her experience, I had a light bulb moment about my call to be a Christian witness.

My friend said the judge gave the witnesses...

Read full article »

Praying about the flow of time: Why I like the idea of “Ordinary Time”

Lynne Baab • Thursday August 15 2024

When I was 9 through 11, my dad was stationed at the Air Force base in Wiesbaden, Germany. We attended a charming 1865 Anglican church in downtown Wiesbaden. The kids stayed in church for about half the service.

We usually arrived five to ten minutes before the service started, and I enjoyed listening to the organ prelude. The reader board at the front of the church always drew my attention. It listed the three hymns we would sing in the service. At the top of the board was the name of that particular Sunday of the church year: Advent 3 (third Sunday...

Read full article »

<< Newer | Older >>