Category Archives: Uncategorized

I spent Easter night with some friends.  Of course, the big news that day was the pastor tilting the Christ candle during Children’s Time and a little oil oozing out.  At which point, I made the joke that if the … Continue reading →

(Sing: “Paul and Silas bound in jail…”)  Today’s story from Acts served as a template for many freedom workers during the Civil Rights Movement.  A young woman, possessed by an unclean spirit—what today, we’d probably call mental illness–chases after Paul, Silas, … Continue reading →

Have you ever felt stuck?  Maybe you had this great period of productivity, full of energy and excitement, then it kind of died down, and you weren’t quite sure of which way to go next? That seems to be where … Continue reading →

“Now, in Asheville, there was a disciple named Paul.  He was devoted to good works and acts of charity.  At that time, he became ill and died.” How interesting that this is the story that appears in the scheduled reading … Continue reading →

So, about that Easter sermon…the one that asked, not if we believed in resurrection, but whether we want to believe in resurrection?  I got some interesting feedback on that sermon.  One person asked:  “Do know what resurrection is?”  Another person … Continue reading →

I’ve been preaching Easter sermons for a while now.  Easter sermons are…tricky.  The biggest day of the church year, usually the highest-attended service of the year…and yet, it’s the hardest part of the story to explain, especially to us scientifically-minded … Continue reading →

If you looked at your calendar this morning, it probably said today is Palm Sunday.  It is.  Big liturgical day, is Palm Sunday.  It marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem just days before his crucifixion.  In the strains of “Hosanna!”, … Continue reading →

Why did I do it?  I’m not sure.  All I know is that when our friend Jesus entered the house, an image of a bottle of nard instantly popped into my mind…then lodged in my heart.  From that moment I … Continue reading →

Have you ever been lost?  The first year at my last church, I pretty much stayed lost.  Atlanta is not kind to the directionally-challenged. Thanks to the little lady in my phone, I’m doing better–not perfect, but better–here in Asheville. … Continue reading →

On a cold, gray morning in 1982, a small group of Anglican clergy gathered at the home of the Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral for a simple service of Holy Communion.  The celebrant was Elizabeth Canham, who I just learned … Continue reading →