Author Archives: tmwest54

Ghent and Bruges in Pictures

Posted on July 22, 2014 by tmwest54

This past weekend (July 18 and 19) Iwan, Anne, and I made our way south from Amsterdam into Belgium for a brief holiday. I had never been to either city before, and each of them had only been to one … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in Amsterdam | Leave a comment

Making and Missing the Path

Posted on July 17, 2014 by tmwest54

I can’t help it. Every time I travel I end up thinking about paths. Maybe it’s because here in Amsterdam I’m closer to the path and it goes by more slowly, because I’m either walking on it or (typically) riding … Continue reading →

Posted in Dissertation deliberations, Everyday living | 1 Comment

A Truly European Experience

Posted on June 29, 2014 by tmwest54

Wow. The last 12 hours have been very full, and very fulfilling. The last 5 hours afforded me an experience I have never had before, and am likely to never have again. This morning I joined the Chaplain (aka pastor) of … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in Amsterdam | 1 Comment

Nor the Moon By Night

Posted on June 12, 2014 by tmwest54

I went for a very long walk tonight through Vondelpark, a very large greenspace just a few blocks from my house. It was full of activity – walkers, runners, skateboarders, rollerbladers, cyclers, picnickers, lovers, you name it. It is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Remember You Are Dust

Posted on June 10, 2014 by tmwest54

There is an ancient Christian liturgical tradition that begins the season of Lent (the 40 day period which culminates in Holy Week when we celebrate Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday) with a service on what is … Continue reading →

Posted in Theological Reflections on Life | Leave a comment

Another Round of First Impressions

Posted on June 10, 2014 by tmwest54

Hoi from Amsterdam! For those of you who may be interested to follow along with my adventures this summer in Amsterdam, and want a bit more “meat” than Facebook allows, I welcome you (back) to my blog! I arrived last … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in Amsterdam | Leave a comment

Paths

Posted on July 29, 2013 by tmwest54

I’ve been thinking about paths a lot lately. The path, derekh, in Hebrew, is a fundamental metaphor for life throughout the Hebrew Bible, especially the Psalms. “Make known your paths to me, O Lord / Teach me your ways.” (Ps. … Continue reading →

Posted in Theological Reflections on Life | 2 Comments

The Netherlands is More Than Amsterdam

Posted on July 21, 2013 by tmwest54

Yesterday was one of the most wonderful days I’ve spent in Holland yet. Two new friends of mine, Iwan and Anne, invited me to join them on an adventure, since they were going to have a car available to them … Continue reading →

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Photo Journal of the Last Few Days

Posted on July 19, 2013 by tmwest54

Ever since I listened to a podcast in which the poet David Whyte was interviewed about a book he’d recently written (the interview took place in 2009) titled The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self, and Relationship, I’ve been thinking about … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

A Legacy of Giving and Forgiving

Posted on July 14, 2013 by tmwest54

I’m not the kind of person who does a lot of pre-planning before going on trips or visiting new places. Part of it is laziness, probably. Part of it is that I generally am where I am most of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Theological Reflections on Life | Leave a comment