Colleague James Howell writes — When I started out in ministry, quite a few churches had “Watch Night” services – on New Year’s Eve. Puzzled on learning this, I asked an older pastor friend why we would do such a thing. He chuckled and said “Keeps people from drinking too much.” There are better answers.…

“As you look back, can you see in your life the undeserved goodnesses of God?” That’s a question Dennis Kinlaw, one of my all-time heroes, wrote in his book This Day with The Master. Pointed question. Once again — “As you look back, can you see in your life the undeserved goodnesses of God?” And your…

Last Call on this piece by David Whyte. Deep gratitude to China Isler for it. I’m thrilled to share sharing it. urfaced it, and I am thrilled to highlight a brief part and share this with you — Holiness is the center that holds all peripheries; the pure internal absence that makes sense of everyone…

David Whyte wrote this, China Isler surfaced it, and I am thrilled to be able to highlight this part and share with you — Holiness is the center that holds all peripheries; the pure internal absence that makes sense of everyone who comes to visit; the hidden ground beneath feet always running to look for…

China Isler surfaced what David Whyte wrote; I am thrilled to share these highlights with you here today — Holiness is the center that holds all peripheries; the pure internal absence that makes sense of everyone who comes to visit; the hidden ground beneath feet always running to look for gifts, the held note of…

David Whyte wrote this, China Isler surfaced it, I added today’s highlights, and I am thrilled to share this with you — Holiness is the center that holds all peripheries; the pure internal absence that makes sense of everyone who comes to visit; the hidden ground beneath feet always running to look for gifts, the…

David Whyte wrote this, China Isler surfaced it, and I am thrilled to share this with you (highlights are mine)— Holiness is the center that holds all peripheries; the pure internal absence that makes sense of everyone who comes to visit; the hidden ground beneath feet always running to look for gifts, the held note…

I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of His birth long ago in Bethlehem, for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that I still sometimes want to exclude Christ from my life today. I believe in that Holy One Whose life was among common people, Whose welcome came…

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services truly are phenomenal. There’s that moment when the overhead lights are turned off and the light from the Christ Candle has been passed to the ushers and then to everyone present and then light is coming from what’s held by everyone. THAT is a breathtaking, breathless moment. But then it’s time…