I was warned about this. The sudden, unexpected empty feeling in the pit of the stomach. The numb grief. The self-doubt and regret. I was warned about all of it. When we started a small nursing home ministry almost two years ago, our priest, Fr. John, warned us. And, on each new occurrence, he's been … Continue reading Hope beyond the empty room
Amid extremes, a call for radical love and unity
This has been a week of political extremes, from the president’s asinine renewal of a nuclear arms race with Russia to the left’s overly optimistic “Green New Deal.” The political cacophony overshadowed a momentous bit of news. On Tuesday, Pope Francis met in Abu Dhabi with Egypt’s Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar … Continue reading Amid extremes, a call for radical love and unity
The life of Janus: Which spirit will you choose?
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 In Roman mythology, Janus was the two-faced god of duality: beginnings and endings, peace and war. Where Romans guessed at this dual nature, … Continue reading The life of Janus: Which spirit will you choose?
Finding silence in the noise
This is the third of three devotionals submitted for consideration to "Forward Day by Day," a daily devotional publication of The Episcopal Church. The full month of daily devotionals will be published next January. Revelation 1:10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. Our … Continue reading Finding silence in the noise
Love and hate in the mirror
This is the second of three devotionals submitted for consideration to "Forward Day by Day," a daily devotional publication of The Episcopal Church. The full month of daily devotionals will be published next January. Psalm 139:21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? The greatest enemy to … Continue reading Love and hate in the mirror
The path of the cross
I recently was selected to write a month of devotionals for "Forward Day by Day," a print and online daily devotional published by The Episcopal Church for more than 500,000 readers. My entries will be published in January, 2020. This is the first of three samples I submitted to be submitted as a "Forward Day … Continue reading The path of the cross
Want to win? Learn to lose successfully
There have been plenty of storylines from our blissfully dysfunctional government in the last week that are good fodder for criticism. There’s value in that kind of critique. The friction of competing ideas is what (if things are functioning properly) keeps our republic from going too far afield in either direction. But, whether it is … Continue reading Want to win? Learn to lose successfully
For first responders, depression and suicide pose the greatest risk
When members of the public experience an emergency, they count on first responders — police, firefighters and EMS — to show up. First responders pride themselves on being the ones who head toward those situations, from car wrecks to fires and violent crime. But, frequent exposure to the trauma surrounding incidents like fatality accidents, suicides … Continue reading For first responders, depression and suicide pose the greatest risk
“Stepping Into Fear” — Christian, Jewish congregations hear message of hope, love overcoming fear
ENID, Okla. — Members of at least six congregations of the Christian and Jewish faiths gathered at St. Stephen AME Church Monday evening for an ecumenical service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring legacy. The service, hosted by St. Stephen AME and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, featured an address by Rabbi … Continue reading “Stepping Into Fear” — Christian, Jewish congregations hear message of hope, love overcoming fear
Razors, babies and racists, oh my! The week in an America ruled by fear
The absence Tuesday of Martin Luther King Jr., on what should have been his 90th birthday, was made sadder by how far we continue to fall short of his dream. An obvious example came Jan. 10, when Rep. Steve King of Iowa wondered aloud how white supremacy and white nationalism became offensive. Less obvious, but … Continue reading Razors, babies and racists, oh my! The week in an America ruled by fear
