*A publication I read some years back carried the story of an annual church Christmas Dinner. Over the years it had become a family affair which welcomed everyone, including people off the street. Members of the church brought their extended family. Small children, theater folk and those who had nowhere to go would eat together. […]
I find these words of Howard Thurman to be a place of centering and a reminder all that troubles me today will pass away. Good will prevail over evil and love is stronger than hate. Thurman’s meditation “The Mood of Christmas” calls me back to the essence and promise of Christmas. “Christmas is a mood, […]
An Advent Devotion for December 1 Read Jeremiah 23:5-8 “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel […]
The Apostle Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(I Thessalonians 5:18.) I used to puzzle over this verse. How on earth do you give thanks in all circumstances? How do you thank God, when your water’s about to be turned off, your children are sick […]
I was invited to give a stewardship sermon last Sunday. Specifically, I was asked to share stories of people I have known in my ministry who have been “giving heroes” to me. It was a fun exercise to go through the churches I’ve served and start listing names of generous givers. Generosity has many […]
One day, while spending some time in a park, I observed a squirrel climbing all over somebody’s lunch box. It was obvious that this squirrel was looking for a free lunch. I was disappointed! I thought squirrels had more ambition. Where was the thrifty, industrious nut-carrier? As I continued to watch, I noticed that this […]
In her book “Angels in the Workplace,” Melissa Giovagnoli tells the story of a man who was homeless. The city had a program to help the homeless population get off the streets by earning money selling newspapers on street corners. Rain or shine, in cold weather or warm, this formerly homeless man was there. After […]
