November 27, 2008 – 7:19 am
The morning sun is rising over the Neuse. The sky is red and the water reflects the color alongside its normal blue. My family is waking. There are four generations of us gathered to give thanks together this Thanksgiving Day. Sweet potatoes are cooked and ready to be peeled. The coconut cake is ready and [...]
Read Enter with Thanksgiving
November 11, 2008 – 6:47 am
Recent political rhetoric was filled with the word and idea of change. A new president was elected on the hope of change. The concept of change holds hope in the Scriptures too. When Paul writes the Romans he says, “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed…” Being transformed is being changed, and in [...]
Read Change
September 30, 2008 – 3:15 pm
Yesterday the ceiling fell. It made a loud crash heard all over the house. It made a mess of my stuff as it crashed and will take some time to clean up. But it’s just a ceiling, plasterboard and joint compound, nothing of eternal consequence, assaulted over time with water from a leak that was unseen [...]
Read Bonds and Securities
September 25, 2008 – 12:58 am
Conversation following Disciple I Class has led me to a few thoughts about the word for the night: Authority. Authority can be experienced as a top down action. We see the face of an authoritative parent, a commanding officer, or a controlling spouse. Such authority holds us by sheer power, or intimidation, or fear. It [...]
Read Thoughts on Authority
September 23, 2008 – 6:40 am
Last week’s Gospel lesson created quite a discussion in my house. The laborerers in the vineyard in Matthew 20 have very different work experiences in the vineyard. Some work all day in the hot sun. Some only work from 5:00 in the afternoon. Yet the landowner pays each laborer, however late they come to the [...]
Read Praying for Grace
September 17, 2008 – 10:06 am
Sunday at Saint Mark’s UMC was a good day. Many hands had prepared wonderful food to share. The depth and breadth of ongoing and emerging ministry were celebrated. Going “live” on the WEB was announced. A newly re-done Youth Grotto was open for tour. Worship and music took us to the mountain top. At the [...]
Read The Good Day
September 2, 2008 – 6:50 am
Adventure on the high sea began as the boy rowed the small boat about a hundred yards offshore. He threw a small anchor overboard and began to swashbuckle amid swells of a northeasterly wind. Back and forth he walked the boat… shouting to the gulls… swinging arms like a maestro. As he grew in boldness [...]
Read The Boy and The Boat
August 26, 2008 – 9:56 am
The churches of the South are known for insider “lingo.” We know what we say when we say it, and others who may be new in our earshot are left to guess. Teaching the lingo of the church ranks with teaching theology and doctrine that all may participate fully in the grace offered, especially when [...]
Read Just What is a Covered Dish?
August 6, 2008 – 10:19 am
Robert Benson, spiritual guide, author, and personal friend wrote a book aout baseball… “The Game: One Man, Nine Innings, A Love Affair With Baseball.” He loves the game, knows the game, and frequents the game as often as he can. Little league or major league, baseball is a teacher of truth. As an example: Life is [...]
Read The Old Ballgame
