“Looking” on the Prayer Path

July 20, 2021 On the spiritual journey, it helps to remember that we are created to be spiritual beings as well as human doings.  Life isn’t all about what we produce.  It also involves who we are becoming, and if we believe we are made in the image of Something Bigger than us, of aContinueContinue reading ““Looking” on the Prayer Path”

President Biden & Holy Communion

In my early years of ministry, I found myself in a life-changing position for all involved.  A teenager and her mother came to me for direction because the single teen (I will call her Beth) was pregnant.  Beth had the support of her mother for whatever decision she made, but it was clear that whatContinueContinue reading “President Biden & Holy Communion”

Do All Religions “Suck”?

A couple of days ago, I happened to find myself a lane over and behind a compact car that sported two identical bumper stickers which read:  “All Religions Suck.”  I guess the driver wanted to make her or his point twice.  I wished at that moment that I could have stopped the car and goneContinueContinue reading “Do All Religions “Suck”?”

Attic Wisdom

If you’ve ever expected a child, then you know something about the “nesting” period when suddenly you realize, instinctively, that the time is NOW to finish getting the nursery in order, counting the diapers, tidying up the house, and putting extra meals in the freezer because something waiting to be born is coming.  Lately, I’veContinueContinue reading “Attic Wisdom”

Lakes, Chapels, God, and Prayer

We recently returned from western North Carolina where we had the opportunity to visit Lake Junaluska, situated in the heart of a Methodist Camp and Conference Center and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and numerous old shade trees.  If ever there were a place to commune with the Divine, by whatever name one callsContinueContinue reading “Lakes, Chapels, God, and Prayer”

Showing Up When Life Gets Hard

“Life is difficult.”  That three-word truth is the sentence that opens The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck’s well-known book integrating spiritual and psychological insights.  It doesn’t sound like a welcoming beginning, though it certainly sets the stage for an exploration into spiritual and psychological growth.  Admit it.  Life is difficult.  Once we have admittedContinueContinue reading “Showing Up When Life Gets Hard”

The COVID-19 Pandemic as “a Time to Keep”

A time to keep, and a time to throw away. Eccl. 3: 6 A few days ago, we entertained a couple in our home for dinner—a couple we had not seen in well over a year due to the pandemic.  On the one hand, the experience felt surreal, and on the other, it felt likeContinueContinue reading “The COVID-19 Pandemic as “a Time to Keep””

Adjusting to Life After COVID-19

The novelist Alice Walker writes, “Look closely at the present you are constructing.  It should look like the future you are dreaming.”  I find myself reflecting on her advice as I come out of a year of enforced hibernation and squint at the sun in my eyes.  Here in the States, and in particular myContinueContinue reading “Adjusting to Life After COVID-19”

A Story by Sadhu Sundar Singh

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  1 Cor. 13:13 Sadhu Sundar Singh was an Indian Christian, evangelist, and mystic who lived in the early part of the 20th century and often trekked through the Himalayan mountains to share the good news of the love ofContinueContinue reading “A Story by Sadhu Sundar Singh”

Hope during Holy Week

Midway through Holy Week, consider the millions, if not billions, of prayers lifted by candleflame through the ages.  The steadfastness of the flame offers the comfort of hope as its smoke wafts toward heaven, a visual sign that our prayer is being lifted, noticed, even heard.  Our control is released and entrusted to the CreatorContinueContinue reading “Hope during Holy Week”