A colleague and friend far away wrote earlier today —- We have reached the sobering part of our annual meeting where we vote to close four churches. It is this moment every year when I give deep thanks for a group of 80 and 90-year-olds who knew how close their church was to closing but…

From an art museum guard — I hovered like a coiled jack-in-the-box ready to spring. I’d seize on the flimsiest excuse to draw you into conversation, which was part of my job description, after all. If you took a photo with flash, I’d be on you faster than the speed of light to say “Please…

Dennis Miller is the senior pastor at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church and a real online friend. Earlier today he graciously shared the following —— As I attend my 33rd Annual Conference today at Capital University in Columbus, Rachel and I continue to choose unity over division in the Church. No matter the place we come…

COPIED — AFTER YOU DIE Just so you know after you die I will not wonder why you didn’t do your dishes or how long it’s been since you cleaned your oven or microwave or mopped your floors or why there were dust bunnies under the bed and behind the door After you’re gone I…

Friend Shane Frederick reminds you and me —- Today is the 150th day of 2024. How are your goals for 2024 going? —- Hmmmm?

COPIED and, yeah…just yeah —- Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told…

Traci Blackmon is an online friend, a colleague, and someone I greatly admire. It’s with her graciously expressed permission that I can share this with you here, with my highlights if you’re in a hurry, but let me warn you: buckle up — Confession of a Woman who Preaches As I read the comments and…

From, and for more: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/memorial-day-worship-and-prayer-resources1 Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, is a day on the civil calendar for remembering and honoring those who have given their lives in battle. The day is also known as Decoration Day for the custom of placing flags at the graves of the patriotic dead. Without legitimating war,…

Carrie Carrillo says a lot quite well here — My husband Joe and I argued today. I couldn’t even tell you what it was about – something to do with a cell phone charger. I mean, it was understandable. A flight delay after vacation. A missed connection. A rush to book a hotel room for…

Carrie Cariello. I’m just gonna get out of her way here. Brace yourself —- My husband Joe had an MRI this week. He asked me to go with him. For half an hour I sat next to the machine. I held his hand. We couldn’t talk over the loud knocking noises. Without words to fill…