It was a Friday night, around 11pm. I was settled into my bed with a book and a cup of tea. The air was stale and the lighting was harsh, and the sound of a helicopter landing 100 feet away filled my ears and made my whole body vibrate.
Read MoreIn these divided times, we often say that there are two kinds of people. Two camps, two types, two sides of the aisle, two sides of an argument. The dualism is everywhere – Coke or Pepsi, Target or Walmart, people who think BBQ is a noun and those who think it’s a verb, people who like pew cushions and those who don’t.
Read MoreHave you ever considered what kind of life God lives? What it is that God experiences? I have to admit that too often my thoughts of God are a mixture of what God can do for me, or the basic properties of God, or on the darkest days whether or not God even exists.
Read MoreI’m a fairly calm, even-keeled person. Some would even say mellow. As a matter of fact, I pride myself on being slow to anger. Except perhaps in parenting. And maybe when reading the news. Also when the puppy needs to be taken outside at 3:00 in the morning.
Read MoreIn seminary, I took a class called Biblical Storytelling. I learned from an absolute master how to bring the words of Scripture to life.
Read MoreEight years ago, this past Tuesday, I joined a procession into this very church and participated in a worship service like no other I’ve experienced.
Read MoreOne of the funniest things I’ve seen lately is a spoof called “Virtual Reality Church.” The creator John Crist advertises his fictional product with this ad: “Tired of having to get dressed and drive across town? Introducing Virtual Reality Church! Choose your own denomination, worship leader and sermon topic, all from the comfort of your couch!”
Read MoreOver the holiday, I had the privilege of serving as chaplain for the Diocese of Mississippi’s winter camp for 9th-12th graders. I had a fabulous time and I saw the Spirit at work in a variety of ways.
Read MoreWhat a joy to welcome everyone this afternoon to the rededication of the stained glass windows. Christ Church has an amazing story to tell today, one of generosity and accomplishment.
Read MoreThe light is out, we’ve read our books and told our stories, our songs have been sung, our prayers said, it is time for me to go.
Read More2018 was a fairly good year for grammar, with a few notable exceptions. Twitter, obviously. But there were also problems in higher grammar, as any fan of the Oxford comma will tell you. That’s the so-called “optional” comma before the word “and” at the end of a list.
Read MoreThere was a time when I danced on tables and sang show tunes at the top of my lungs, dressed in outlandish costumes and performed in chorus lines.
Read MoreThis is a noisy time of year. Some of the sounds are delightful – like Christmas music on the radio and the chatter of children speculating about what Santa will bring.
Read MoreA very happy Advent to all of you! I’m thrilled to begin my first Advent at Christ Church. This is my very favorite season of our liturgical year.
Read MoreI hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. And I really hope everyone caught the replay of one of the funniest moments in sitcom history: WKRP In Cincinnati’s iconic “Turkeys Away” episode. It’s now a Thanksgiving classic.
Read MoreThe night after it happened, I took a metro train to downtown Chicago. My friend and I were the only ones in the fluorescent lit cars. We were surprised the trains were even running, but we were glad for the rhythm of a their scheduled stops.
Read MoreFor preachers, there are two very awkward things about the story of the widow’s mite. So let’s start with those and get them out of the way.
Read MoreIn the first confirmation class I ever led, there was a remarkable young woman who had come to the Episcopal Church from a fundamentalist background. Seeing our Church through her eyes was enlightening and formative for me.
Read MoreA strange urban legend has been confirmed recently. At long last, reporters found people willing to go on record to discuss a long-standing but illegal practice having to do with spreading the ashes of loved ones.
Read MoreHe dreamed of the sound of the Jordan and the smell of soil, laughter along the river banks, the soft push of wind as his uncle handed him a wriggling fish, its scales slick and barbed. Then into his dream came Judah calling: “Wake up! The pilgrims are going to be generous today.”
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