I woke up on Monday in a near-total panic. The voice in my head was screeching at triple-fortissimo, “Oh my heavens, it’s December and I have no idea what I’m preaching on Sunday, much less what my theme for Advent is.” [Editor’s note: some people...
Happy Thanksgiving! Gratitude is a deeply spiritual discipline, one that people of faith all around the world are encouraged to practice regularly. But I am still glad we have a special day devoted to gratitude in the United States. Yes, it is also a day...
As many people have noted this week, only 35 days elapsed between the mass shooting in Las Vegas and the events of this past Sunday in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Once again our lives have been abruptly, horribly disrupted by an incident of gun violence that...
I love autumn. It is my favorite season. I love the changing leaves, the crispness in the air, savoring the first pot of chili, SEC football, mums on the porch, and all things pumpkin. I love the return to routine, the feel of soft, well-worn...
The images have been horrifying and unforgettable. Streets turned to rivers. People clinging to the tops of cars or houses. The rain and wind unrelenting. And there have been other images as well, also unforgettable, but these gladden the heart: people using anything that will...
Today marks the one year anniversary of the tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia. We are re-posting this piece, written last August, as Christ's call to radical love,alongside conversations about racism and injustice, continue to ring true and remain urgent. Together we can do better, striving as...
Saturday was a horrific, tragic day in the annals of the United States of America. Peaceful protestors were confronted with violence. A young woman lost her life simply for daring to say no to racism. A hate group gathered to spread its toxic message and...
Celebrations are an essential part of being human. We seem to have an innate need to mark pivotal events or moments in our lives. So, we celebrate anniversaries, graduations and birthdays. We erect monuments and memorials. We wear wedding rings. This week, of course, we...
One step outside reminds us that summer is here, and we are graced with opportunities to live life in a different rhythm. If you have little ones, you already know that you are living by a different “clock.” I remember being a little shell-shocked during...
Worship is a funny thing. I spend a lot of my time—meaning, I spend a lot of my life—thinking about, praying about, planning, and executing worship for my church. Along with our church musicians, who are an absolute gift, not to mention a joy to...