a journey of the spirit
Preached at Manchester Church of the Brethren. Scripture reference: Genesis 18:1-15, 21: 1-7 **God has made laughter** (song by Kathy Wonson Eddy) Lyrics: God has made laughter, laughter for me. (x3) Is anything impossible for God? Everyone who hears will laugh with me! (x3) Is anything impossible for God? Sarah is such a complicated… Continue reading God has made laughter (sermon, 6/18/17)
A while ago I wrote lyrics that caught the musical interest of a couple of very talented composer friends. Here are their two versions of music written for that text. They are incredibly different and both very precious, beautiful, and fitting in their own right. Please let me know if you want to print or play… Continue reading Emmaus Farewell music
In honor of election season and the Anabaptist discussions that inevitably come up about faith and government, here's a study I did way back when (5 years ago?) on the most often cited passage in the argument for obeying the state. Enjoy. =) Romans 13:1-7 is arguably one of the most debated and difficult passages… Continue reading Romans 13:1-7… Patriotism or parody?
There are so many kinds of silence. The silence that envelops like a warm quilt, tucked up tight. The silence that chafes and itches, pacing along the walls of anxiety’s prison. The silence that expects and hopes and yearns. The silence that holds its breath and stands stock still, waiting for… for what? The silence… Continue reading Silence
Alex sits in his wheelchair watching Jeopardy with his wife. His right arm is drooping and, though he is following the conversation with big eyes like a three or four year old might, he only now and again says "I don't know" or "okay." His wife tells me of the 7 TIAs, 2 strokes, bladder surgery and prostate surgery he… Continue reading Chaplaincy journal 5: One Day
She broke her hip and now it's infected. Two months of hospital time. She misses her dog. She isn't sure why she fell. She's walked down that hall thousands of times before and been just fine. She's glad she and her husband got those necklaces, though, the ones where you push the button and they… Continue reading Chaplaincy journal 4: Precious
I walked into the room and said, "You're still here! I thought you were going to get out of this joint a week ago!" "You and me both," he responded, with a roll of the eyes. "But I get to eat today! Meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy. Now, I'm sure the meatloaf won't be… Continue reading Chaplaincy journal 3: Food
As I was driving to the hospital, chasing an earthy, insistent sunrise, my conversation with God went like this: “God, I need you to be with me today. And not as a trickster, today. Today I need to sense you in gentleness. You’ve been pushing me, I know. It seems you are preparing me for… Continue reading Chaplaincy journal 2: Dawn and Dusk
Hymn lyrics I wrote as a parting gift for a dear mentor and brother. Sung to tune TOWNEND (though if anyone wants to write a tune for it...) O God, in journeys here below you give us to each other that we may recognize your face in stranger, friend, and brother. We meet and travel… Continue reading Emmaus Farewell
A sermon preached on 1Kings and 2Kings, at Wabash Church of the Brethren in Indiana, June 26, 2016. Sometimes in these scriptures, I find myself caught up in the whole sweep of the stories and the depth and quirks of the characters. This week as I was preparing this sermon, as I looked for the… Continue reading Elijah and Elisha
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