lost

“Loss is simply another entrance into life.” -Joan Chittister.

It is impossible to hold on to both a new life and an old one. One must make a decision, or the two will be lost into oblivion. We cannot hold the old selves in the new life. Like the old wineskins that burst with the new wine, we…

looking forward

My friend Jessica is coming on Saturday. I have not seen her in over two years. I have not seen her in this country in over three. She and I served in Peace Corps Kenya together, and we became close friends even though we disagree on a good number of things that I consider very important. She helped…

Instead of an Act, Make it a Practice.

Last year as I was learning how to do seminary, one of the problems I had was in balancing all the different assignments, readings, classes, work study, and fun things to do in class. I struggled with what I should do, when I should do it, and how much time I…

The Journey of Listening

I am introducing learning how to listen into my life. How to respond, and be aware of other’s responses. Never something that I have been exceptionally good at, the ability to get a feel for the subtleties of those around me has proven to be more difficult for me than I perceive it to…

Autumn

Rain on my face. Thunder roar.

Come and find a new season.

Seasons change and shift.

Smell the crisp cold air, the fire smoke, the pecans.

Red

It is fall again.

The leaves have begun to turn, and soon

the entire place will fill with the oranges, yellows and reds of autumn.

The red sun as it sets will begin to set sooner

Tending the Garden

The loamy smell of the earth, as it is worked and turned. This is what I love about gardens.

My father plants a garden each place we live. He has stories about one of the first he built, in Reidsville, where he plotted out everything in foot by foot parcels. He made the…

Ghostly Communion

Music was a vital component of my family as I grew up. I can remember car trips, lessons, worship services, and bedtimes that were surrounded in song. Variously, we sang hymns, Christian kids music (the good stuff, not the new weird things), and the kids car song mixes that were all on cassette…

Fixed

Fixed in place, as in time. Placed in a stronghold, and firmly in place. I am affixed to a certain time and place, indeed all of us are. Fixed on the rock of salvation. Fixed in the place of judgment. Fixed to a person, to a situation, to a standard previously met. How am I held to those places that I have…

Laughing With

Today when we went around the group of students interested in singing with the praise team for introductions, the ubiquitous “extra” question was: what is your favorite song? With the given caveat that of course in a room of musicians, none of us could pick just one, so, pick one that you like, or like…