Soaked in Grace
GK Chesterton tells the story of a teenage boy granted one wish by a genie. “Do you wish to be huge or tiny?”We are all swayed by the appeal of being big, strong and powerful. So, no surprise, the boy…
They serve one another
It has been another week where the news makes us wonder if there are any answers... accompanied by feeling powerless, deeply emotional, horrified, angry, and scared.I am grateful for your emails. One asked, “You talk about spiritual hydration. But how…
To reflect the light
During the recent pandemic shutdown, on my walk every day, I stopped to chat with (and yes, often preach to) the congregation of sheep just around the corner from my house. I miss them.They gave me the permission to simply…
How the light gets in
Today is 9-11. Images are seared into our memories. And remembering the questions: “Where were you? What did you feel? Who did you call?"Although I remember very vividly, I didn't know exactly how to answer what I felt. Because there…
This little light of mine
I spent today on Vashon Island. Guest preacher at Burton Church. And while on Vashon, I had to stop by, and say hello to my former congregation, the sheep.They looked up, as if to say, “We haven’t seen you in…
That kind of blessing
In his book, Life of the Beloved, Henri Nouwen tells the story of Janet, “one of my friends who is quite handicapped but a wonderful, wonderful lady.”She said to me, “Henri, can you bless me?”I remember walking up to her…
Dance, keeping hope alive
Robben Island is famous. It is the South African prison where Nelson Mandela and many others were incarcerated because of their struggle to end apartheid. (Mandela served 18 of his 27 years in Robben Island). Margaret Wheatley tells this story…
Making a difference
I am writing this on Father’s Day. And some stories I like to (well, actually, I need to) retell, for the good of my heart. Because “the stories people tell, have a way of taking care of them... Sometimes a…
The permission to shine
Have you heard of the Church of the Exceptional? (A non-denominational, interracial ministry devoted to ministering to the physically and mentally handicapped in the area around Rutherford County, NC.)In 1974, then Governor Jimmy Carter and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale were…
I believe in music
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” Maya Angelou reminds us. And I say, Amen.And yet, darkness is still very real. Or maybe, it’s just that some people still don’t trust that the light is there. (Okay, maybe…