From The Eagles’ classic song, Dirty Laundry — Dirty little secrets Dirty little lies We got our dirty little fingers In everybody’s pie We love to cut you down to size We love dirty laundry     From 19th century British pulpiteer Charles Haddon Spurgeon — There is so much dirty linen in our own house needing…

Sheryl Wilkey wrote this, and it’s with her permission that I share it with you.  Her husband Wes is a highly-respected colleague who was one of the very first to welcome me into The Order of St. Luke long before Central and Southern Illinois Conferences merged.  I could list his accomplishments, but he’d probably prefer you…

Some people hang out at coffee shops named “Mel’s Diner” and chat with those at the tables around them. Some people hang out places named “Starbucks” and chat with people miles away through the internet. Friend and colleague Gene Ramsey wrote that, and gave me permission to quote him.  Gene articulates what I’ve experienced but…

“Be still… Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day  is the rest we take between two deep breaths,  or the turning inwards in prayer  for five short minutes —Etty Hillesum …and know that I am God.”  — Psalm 46:10

The device on which you’re reading this wouldn’t exist without Alan Turing.  He’s the primary character in The Imitation Game, a current-run film Patty and I saw recently.  It’s the true story of the British unraveling the Nazi’s code machine called Enigma.  Beneath that top layer of plot is another story the director references in this open…

One week ago today our nation remembered. But too much about Dr. King is too good to limit to just once a year. For example — “I’m here to say to you this morning that some things are right and some things are wrong.  Eternally so, absolutely so. It’s wrong to hate. It always has…

One more day with the brilliance of Phillips Brooks (if you’re clueless, see the previous 2 days here). First, I initially heard his name years ago in connection with his famous line that preaching is God’s truth through personality.  Does that resonate, or what?!  Kinda like The Unity Candle at weddings: it always worries me when the couple wants to…

Remember Phillips Brooks from yesterday here? One of his gems — “Be patient and understanding. Life is too short to be vengeful or malicious.” — Let’s don’t just smile and nod along…let’s ask God to help us live this way today.

Dr. Lawson Stone, Friend and Old Testament Scholar, writes — Today marks the anniversary of the death, in 1893, of Phllips Brooks, one of the most universally admired churchmen and preachers in American history. Ironically, after graduating from Harvard, he was summarily fired from his first job at Boston Latin School. In his journal, he wrote, “I…

Trouble sleeping?  You’re not alone. In a myriad of ways, you’re not alone. Here’s an excellent reminder from the ancient Celtic tradition, with thanks to friend Steve for sharing this — We lie down in peace knowing our sins are forgiven; we lie down in peace knowing death brings no fear. We lie down in peace knowing…