Author Archives: reallifepastor

Several years ago, while reading through the obituaries in the Atlanta paper, I ran across one for a Mr. Jones, who’d just died at the age of 104.  The piece noted that, at his death, Mr. Jones was still working … Continue reading →

About a week into my recovery from foot surgery, I had a sleepless night…one of those wide-awake-staring-at-the-ceiling-all-night-long nights.  I started off worrying about the world–climate change, the border crisis, hunger, war, racism, sexism, incivility…politicians… When I got done worrying about … Continue reading →

  How good it is to be back with you…especially in the pulpit!  And not just because it means my foot is healing; or because I really like you all; or because Allen has begged me to, please, please, please, … Continue reading →

Sermon preached at Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. Have you ever ended up someplace you never intended to go?  Yeah.  That’s what happened to Jonah.  God told him to go one place; Jonah paid good money to go in the … Continue reading →

  We talk a lot here at FCUCC about acting the world into wellbeing.  The phrase comes from Christian ethicist Beverly Harrison, who described love as “the power to act each other into wellbeing.”  I confess that, until I read … Continue reading →

  “For wherever your treasure is, that’s where your heart will be also.”  What do you treasure?  What has hold of your heart?  On this day when children and teenagers are leading worship, it seems appropriate to consider how we … Continue reading →

[Larry Burke sings, “Deportees”]    “32 Are Killed in California Plane Crash;  28 Mexican Deportees, Crew, and Guard Victims in Coastal Range Disaster.  Fresno, California, January 28, 1948.  Associated Press.               “A chartered Immigration Service plane crashed and burned in … Continue reading →

Twenty years ago today, I was ordained by Virginia-Highland Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.  As a Southern Baptist girl and woman, the journey to ordination was arduous. In 1988, I went to seminary to become a children’s minister…because that’s all … Continue reading →

A pious man once was caught in rising floodwaters.  He climbed onto the roof of his house and trusted God to rescue him.  A neighbor came by in a canoe and said, “The waters will soon be above your house. … Continue reading →

            In last week’s episode, the prophet of Israel—Elijah—defeated the prophets of Baal.  The powers that be were not pleased.  They set out to kill Elijah.  Elijah ran.  He slept.  He ate.  He whined.  Eventually, he found God in the … Continue reading →