‘The Lord your God will take great delight in you, and in his love will rejoice over you with singing.” —Zephaniah 3:17 Re-read that a couple of times. Go ahead, seriously: re-read that excerpt from that verse a couple of times.…

“Grant that I may not so much seek to be loved, as to love.” It’s been my joy to preside at more weddings than I’ll admit.  Over more years than I’ll admit. But there’s one thing I will admit: it’s…

“Are you going on to perfection?” That’s a traditional question that was part of my ordination process.  It’s been used for a couple of centuries in the Wesleyan/Methodist way of doing things. It’s asked in front of a large group…

I have her permission to tell this story. Ella is a friend who’s an attorney in the eastern part of our country. She was getting ready to head out the door on recent weekday morning.  She told her son, “We’ll play more this afternoon. …

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek …to be understood, as to understand” It’s basic human anatomy: we have two ears and one mouth for a reason.  We all know that.  But we forget. A guy…

“Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console” Of all the requests in our St. Francis Prayer, this can be the trickiest. Needing consolation can get some of us really wrapped up in ourselves.…

Another foggy morning. Driving to a Conference clergy event in Springfield, which from here means two lane highways and lots of hills. Go a little slower. Headlights on. Sounds like times in my life that have had nothing to do with the…

From ages ago:   “O Divine Master” From a couple of days ago:  She was helping us with Martin. Martin is our dog.  Sunday, February 5 will be his eighth birthday.  He’ll be eight months old. We are all three in Obedience Training. Martin…

Let’s call her Laura, which is not her real name but it sure is close.  She’s a family member in her early-mid-20’s. Laura took some clothes to Plato’s Closet.  Laura was anticipating a cash infusion, as had been her experience…

“Where there is sadness, let me sow joy” Among my favorite things people say to me are these two: “You don’t look like a pastor” and “You don’t act like a pastor.” Part of me wants to reply with a…