When I published a book of prayers way back in 2013, I attended a writers’ conference and learned that having a website is considered important for authors. I still don’t really think of myself as an author, but yet there is a book published…
Often in His teachings, Jesus called the people of His day to return to their roots—to the Shema that defined their faith—and truly live by it. Recorded in Deuteronomy 6:4–6, the Shema reads: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your…
Based on Isaiah 65:17–25; Revelation 21:1–6 When I meditate on these passages, a prayer wells up: O Lord God of Heaven and Earth, we see the world around us writhing in pain at the same time that babies are born, bringing the delight of…
In these trying times, we may do well to remember some important history lying at the center of the Christian faith. The story of Jesus is a story of the power of voices. In this season of Lent, as we approach Maundy Thursday, let…
I awoke recently with the opening lines of a poem surfacing into my waking thoughts. I had no memory of an accompanying dream, but the lines kept floating around until I sat down with them to see where they took me. In my spiritual…
I wrote a poem way back in English III in Jacksonville, Florida. It was 1960 (yes, I am old!). I had lived in NC prior and remembered a winter in Selma, NC when I was four years old and the snow was so deep,…
Here is something to think about during the downtime of “pandemic time.” Many of us have some extra time to reflect on our lives and our relationship with God. This can be very productive spiritual time, and I encourage you to take advantage of…
Due to the dreaded, fateful COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves in the midst of monumental change. My spiritual director recently asked me to name images of the way life is different for me now. Immediately, I saw clearly what it is for me. In…
I decided to leave my Easter cross on my front door as a statement of faith in keeping with that of the Israelites in the original Passover during a deadly plague in Egypt. God instructed them through Moses to prepare a meal of lamb…
In this pandemic experience, we are learning to fast whether we want to or not. Fasting is an ancient spiritual practice, going back to the earliest practices among people of faith in the Living God. Basic commitments of worship were three-fold: Prayer, Giving Alms…
