jesus
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The Grace to Listen
My son called me on Father’s Day just to say hello. Julian, my oldest son, is traveling on a national tour of Saw, a musical parody of the slasher film by the same name. He had already forbidden his… Continue reading
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Finding Hope: Nurturing the Child Within
I want to put something out in the universe with the hope that offering what I have will be a way of hope to those who struggle with trauma. I do not intend to write a tell-all book. That… Continue reading
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Building God’s Kingdom: The Importance of Community
“You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5 CEB). This morning,… Continue reading
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Refilling the Soul: Lessons from a Restful Vacation
Today is the last day of my vacation. I will return to my pastoral duties tomorrow, grateful for a wonderful and restful retreat. As I processed the week I spent in Texas, I feel overwhelmed with love and appreciation… Continue reading
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Finding Balance Through Intentional Gratitude
Diana Butler Bass’ book Grateful highlights the idea that gratitude is not simply a feeling, but an intentional state of being in the world. In other words, we must choose to practice gratitude as a spiritual discipline. It is… Continue reading
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The Road to Rest: Insights from Audiobooks and Faith
Today marks the start of a week spent visiting family, celebrating my birthday, joining a retreat in Austin, and taking time to sit quietly and connect with God. Since I spent much of the day traveling by car, I started… Continue reading
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Preparing for the Christ Child: A Night of Celebration
Today is our final day of preparation. We know that Jesus comes in the night, a time symbolizing anticipation and divine mystery, and we sing and celebrate the One for whom we took our time to prepare. We… Continue reading
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Journey of Grace: Cleaning Away Regrets This Christmas
As we draw closer to Christmas, the time for cleaning is about done. We know the guest will arrive shortly. In looking back over this year’s season of Advent, I discovered some unexpected surprises. Some areas exposed regret… Continue reading
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A Spirit of Joy Pervades the Air
As the congregation of my church stood singing carols, I want to express my gratitude for the customs that are part of my United Methodist heritage. Recognizing these traditions helps me feel connected and thankful for the community’s shared faith… Continue reading
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Living With a Spirit of Gratitude
“Mary said, ‘With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my saviour’” (Lk. 1:46-47 CEB). Mary’s response to God’s calling can inspire admiration and trust. Her encounter… Continue reading
From a Pastor's Point of View 