I find it interesting that this question is “…sacred” and not “…the sacred.”  I have often heard the words “the sacred” used to talk about a way of experiencing God as person, force, object, etc.  Without the definite article, it does bring in a new element.  The word sacred is defined as “something connected with [...]

Talk about a hard question to answer…the others to this point have been ones that could be more at a distance – reflections upon more external issues, but with some measure of an internal.  This one is more focused on me and the ways that I have been created, gifted, the experiences I have gained, [...]

There are several authors that I have struggled to connect with over the years.  Barbara Brown Taylor is one of them – until her most recent book, An Altar in the World, I had never actually finished one of her books.  Its nothing against her writing personally, but it just never seemed to connect with [...]

Word of warning…this is going to be somewhat rambling and probably not well-proofed.  Its about 1030pm on a Saturday night prior to a Sunday where I am preaching about sin.  Yes, I should probably be in bed, but this question has been bouncing around in my head all day today and I know that it [...]

Well, I have finally finished my first Barbara Brown Taylor book.  I have started many of her books before, but until this one, I had never finished.  Not sure why, but it is just how it happened.  Rev. Taylor is a wonderful writer with some wonderful spiritual insights, but I had just not connected well [...]

A member of PCW lent me his copy of Tribes a few weeks ago and I finally got through it yesterday afternoon.  It is not that it is a difficult or a long read, but I just simply hadn’t had the opportunity to sit down and work through it. As I read the book, I [...]

This is a pic of the view from my hotel window here in Seattle courtesy of my camera phone.  I opened the curtains this morning hoping to get some sun (of course, this is Seattle…) and maybe a bit of a view.  When I looked outside last night after arrival, I saw nothing but darkness.  [...]

Several weeks ago, I posted about my friend Jeff’s 3 year old son Ben and his battle with cancer.  I received word today that Ben died early this morning.  There are no words to express the grief that Jeff and his family feel this day.  I simply offer a prayer and a psalm to mark [...]

I receive a daily email from “Story People” an arts community that produces some of the most unique and wonderful contemporary art that I have found.  I have purchased several of their items for friends as gifts and I have one in my office that I received from my wonderful wife.  They are wonderful pieces [...]

Part of the ordination process in the PCUSA requires every candidate for ministry to write a statement of faith.  As well, most congregations, in their discernment process about whether to call a specfiic pastor, also request a statement of faith from prospective pastors. I have written several of these in my life in ministry – [...]