This Mother's Day, I find my heart dwelling on the ways in which we who never knew the thrill, the pain, the fear, or the joy of the miracle of birth mother the children around us. As my 21-year-old nephew prepares to make the long journey from West Virginia to Idaho in order to live... Continue Reading →
John 12:20-36 Should I give up and walk away? Or should I stay? This was essentially Jesus' question as he pondered what he should pray for. Should he ask for all the hardship he was about to endure to be taken away from him, or should he ask for God's help in making it happen?... Continue Reading →
Leviticus 23:1-8 God has always called us into sacred times and structured the rhythms of our lives in such a way that we should be constantly reminded of God's presence. Jesus modeled this with his life by regularly taking time away from the crowds and the pressures of his public ministry to retreat to quiet... Continue Reading →
Vessels.Filled to the brim.Cleansing for the unclean.Hope for the hopeless.All who come will be welcomedwith a just a splash.Wash away the hurt.Wash away the sin.Wash away the shame.Leave the vessels where they stand.Empty.Discarded.Used.Dry.Laughter fades.Singing turns to silence.Whispers reveal the emptinessof joy,of hope,of celebration.What good is itwhen it's all been used up?What is leftafter it's all... Continue Reading →
A prayer for the girls of Nigeria and the girls of Rivesville, WV Oh, Lord! What it is it about Little Girls with books That frighten men with guns so? All I can do Is turn my eyes to the heavens And cry out. Let Your Will be done On Earth as it is done... Continue Reading →
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. God won’t let your foot slip. Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job. No! Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests! The Lord is your protector; the Lord is your shade right beside you. The... Continue Reading →
I lift up my voice and my soul for the caretakers-- The ones who give selflessly of themselves, Who are always thinking of others And considering themselves after all others Have been comforted. For those who lovingly cool the head Of feverish children. For those who coax and persuade and beg That medication be taken... Continue Reading →
"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn."~John Wesley Thanks to John Wesley, one of my frequent prayers is simply: Dear Lord, let me burn... I'm sure that if someone could hear when I utter those five little words, they'd think I was nuts. They would probably think... Continue Reading →
Today I sat in a physical therapy room at a nursing home and watched as an elderly member of one of my congregations went through the tedious task of learning to walk again after suffering broken hip in a nasty fall a few months ago. I cheered her on, right along side the physical therapy... Continue Reading →
For the childless mother, I pray-- For the women who bounce babies That are not their own. For the women who wipe little noses And kiss scraped knees-- Who love and nurture and soothe, Who educate and instigate And encourage and embrace The children she could never have. For the childless mother, I pray-- For... Continue Reading →
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