Show Up For Someone
I’m guessing there’s someone in your life right now who needs you. The ‘how’ or ‘what’ of that need might be obvious—or it might be […]
Love
Do you love Jesus, or just really like him?
I think one of the biggest challenges today is that many of us really like Jesus. And liking is good. But do we love him? That’s a […]
Loving Rob Ford
I confess that I am not a Torontonian. Rather, after more than fourteen years living in Montreal I’m almost at the point where I could […]
Four Easy Ways to Change the World (with your kids) This Month
Okay, I admit it. That title promises a lot! But think of it like this: I once heard someone talk about how people think they […]
Date Your Spouse
For those of you who are married, do you remember your wedding vows? Having had the privilege of marrying several people (no, I’m not a […]
Virtue in a Crowded House
At the beginning of the month, writer James Cooper posted an article on the Transpositions blog called “Creativity as a Call to Virtue.” Transpositions is the blog […]
How Can I Support the Minister?
This is a short and simple blog. Most of you know I’m a minister (or ‘pastor.’) The vocation involves a lot of things. Many joy-filled, […]
Love Talk
Lectionary reading is a funny discipline. Sometimes on Monday morning, it feels like it’s all about one verse. The others verses circle to provide context, but one verse demands attention. But today, it’s two whole stories, see-sawing back and forth, and I’m finding the balance in the middle.
The Prodigal returns…
I read a story on the Huffington Post this morning about a Dad writing a note to his gay son about how he had over heard his […]
“What do you like about your church community?”
Yesterday, I heard a story from a woman who has experienced real community in the life of her church. When she was a new believer, […]
Unexpected valentines
February 15 should be known as “Half-Price Chocolate” day. After all, like many other days intended to celebrate virtuous occasions, Valentine’s Day has become a […]
Many things are called love
Again we read Jesus’ call to stay close to the Father. Then, he pushes things much farther. This isn’t about an individual abiding in God – this is about everyone.
Joyful Friendship
Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” But can one person order another person to love him?
And stay by my side…
This past week, I was hit by love three times.
The first happened when I was at the school near our church. I was popping in for a visit, after setting up some crafts at the church, and I had my huge messenger bag over my shoulder. I have a collection of buttons pinned there, and one of them is a drawing of an anatomical heart.
The Greatest Commandment
The Pharisees Question Jesus by artist James Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902), opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper. October 23, 2011 Nineteenth Sunday after […]
Servant and Minister
Ministry is a churchy word used regularly but imprecisely. More often than not, Presbyterians use it to describe what clergy do. If done well, such […]