PALM SUNDAY Today our scripture is based on one of my favorite stories about Jesus: The Triumphal Entry. I’m not sure why I love it so much, except that it is such a pinnacle moment for Jesus, such a cinematic scene, filled with color and movement, celebration and joy. It is a high point in […]
Read more "Real Power"Today’s message is about the power of example and the way our lives speak—knowingly or not, and for good or for ill—into the lives of others. We never really know when our actions will leave a lasting impact on someone else. It might be the time we helped someone pick up a bag of groceries […]
Read more "The Power of Presence"I imagine that you are, like I am, still processing and trying to understand the events of the last couple of weeks in our country. Our souls were shocked to see such violence and disrespect—disregard for the well-being of people and traditions and institutions. And we are still on edge as we hear about safety […]
Read more "Remembering Prayer"Our message for this morning comes to you courtesy of this beautiful paragraph written by Thomas Kelly. It is included in the Universal Light section of Britain’s Yearly Meeting’s Faith & Practice: The light for which the world longs is already shining. It is shining into the darkness, but the darkness does not apprehend it. […]
Read more "Kingdom of the Heart"How do you find yourself spending your time these days? Are you enjoying the long, open moments, the freedom of choice, the ease of not having anywhere to go? Have you learned to befriend your boredom, to enjoy a little creativity, to calm the anxiety that sometimes arises and then meet it with a friendly […]
Read more "In Spirit and in Truth"Sometimes in my work as a hospice chaplain, I feel like I’m a citizen of two worlds. In the here-and-how, I’m supporting patients and families in whatever way seems to fit the needs of the moment best: just being there, listening, caring, exploring questions, reading scripture, getting coffee, holding hands, offering prayer. But I am […]
Read more "Lessons from Eternity"Have you noticed the sense of peace and quiet that settles over the world as winter arrives? No more crickets chirping; only a few bird calls, here and there. There are no leaves left on the trees to rustle in the breeze. Late at night, when I take Gloria outside for the last time before […]
Read more "Peace and Quiet"Wednesday of this week was Ash Wednesday, which means the season of Lent has begun. In many denominations, people go to church and receive a cross of ash on their foreheads. The ashes are made by burning the palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. The pastor who gives the blessing typically says something […]
Read more "Your Personal Wilderness"Already it’s apple season. And that brings lots of things to be thankful for: Apple cider, apple cake, cinnamon apple bread, apple pies. Tart apples, sweet apples, crispy apples, red, green, and gold. Life is good, especially in the fall, isn’t it? The local you-pick apple orchards are now open for business, and farm stores […]
Read more "Apple Season"Do you know that moment in the evening-time, when you finally sit down to rest—maybe on the deck– after picking up sticks and pulling weeds and mowing the grass and fixing supper and cleaning up the dishes? It’s that moment when everything’s done that’s going to get done today. A time when you can relax […]
Read more "Being Content"