Category Archives: Uncategorized

Self-care–God’s for it!

This real life pastor gets tired sometimes.  Like most folks, I over-commit, over-function and rationalize all my busy-ness because I’m “doing God’s work.”  The thing is, the cells in my body can’t distinguish between God’s work and other work.  To … Continue reading

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Grace of the Next Moment

You know those weeks when everything goes right? You follow through with everything you say you’re going to do, the creative juices flow, the house is clean, the desk at work is clean, you let down no one, and check … Continue reading

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Nelson Mandela: “To be free…”

February 10, 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa. Do you remember where you were when you heard he’d been released? Do you remember how you felt? And that was just 3 short months after the Berlin … Continue reading

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One Really Intense Worship Service

Sunday’s worship service was very intense. Amazingly so. Before I tell you about Sunday, though, I need to tell you about a book club meeting last June. The book group had read a book about women’s spirituality. The ensuing conversation … Continue reading

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Dealing with Sadness

Yesterday someone asked a question I’m frequently asked: How do you deal with so much sadness, particularly the kind that attends the difficult diagnoses, the news that the cancer has returned and that there are no treatment options left? How … Continue reading

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Common Prayer Prayerbook

Each year I use a different prayerbook for my private prayer time. The diversity keeps me interested, you know? I found one called “Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals” at the bookstore back in November. I love several things … Continue reading

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January’s Books: 11!

As a pastor, I do a lot of reading. Some of it is even edifying! Several years ago, I started keeping a record of what I read, including quotes and stories. You never know when you’re going to need a … Continue reading

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Pastoring Because It’s Fun

Today at church, a grandfather related a recent suppertime conversation with his grandkids. A granddaughter said she wanted to be a geologist when she grows up. When it came his turn, the youngish grandson declared, “I want to be a … Continue reading

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Anything Worth Doing…

Each of the last three days I haven’t blogged, I’ve convinced myself that I was just too busy. I have had a LOT of writing projects for church; there’s been no time to gather my thoughts into a blog. That’s … Continue reading

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Why I read fiction…

I started reading fiction because one of my doctoral professors said it was okay. Here’s how it happened. I attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In many ways, seminary was a great experience. While there I discovered … Continue reading

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