I am tired of Zoom. And I am tired of Livestream. And I am tired of working from my couch. And I am tired of getting notifications from my calendar that remind me of important events that have now been canceled. I know that I am not alone in these sentiments. But in...
About a month ago a dog showed up at our farm in Patrick County, Va. She stayed under a tractor left out in a pasture. We started feeding her and eventually she moved her home to a hay shed. She never growls and always wags her tail, but she is very afraid. Skittish...
Genesis 1:27 27: So God created humankind in God’s own image. Imago Dei. We are all created in the image of God. That is such a beautiful idea. Do you believe it? Do you believe you are created in the image of God? With all of your (my) imperfections, flaws and...
This past week, I helped to facilitate the September meeting of the Monday Book Club, and we discussed Barbara Brown Taylor’s 2009 book, An Altar in the World. When I think about the books that formed my faith in my teenage years, this book tops the list. Taylor’s...
Remember back in March when this whole pandemic thing started? Seems like ages ago, right? If you were like me, you were thinking that we would enjoy a nice little relaxing staycation for a couple weeks and then get back to life as normal. This tiny little thing would...
Almost 30 years ago our church began a relationship with a Presbyterian congregation on the Navajo Reservation in Chinle, Arizona, on the rim of the Canyon de Chelly National Monument. For several summers many of you drove or flew out there to help in many ways and...
What an incredible honor to officiate the funeral for Betsy Simpson earlier this month. It was the week before her 94th birthday. Her husband of 71 years has lovingly and sacrificially cared for Betsy for the past 10 years as she struggled with Alzheimer’s. Betsy was...
Two weeks ago I was working on my laptop at home trying to prepare an article for one of our many publications and promotions. However, my laptop was not cooperating and unfortunately, like so many other people, I have become almost completely dependent on it. Maybe...
I have been thinking about minimal standards recently. For example Monday night in our Session meeting on Zoom we were reminded that an active member of the Presbyterian Church is anyone who has given some financial gift of any amount and attended worship at least...
I am always struck when I read a warning in the Christian Scriptures. It provides a moment of clarity. It seems to me, to cut straight to the point. I get a sense for what the authors intentions are. It makes me sit up straight and pay attention. One of the few times...
