Friendsgiving Every year since moving to our current home in Arlington, Texas we have hosted a Friendsgiving Feast. What started as a gathering of friends who are connected through a Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ life group has expanded to include others. The first year, 20222, 15 folks gathered for a potluck style meal. To begin, we gathered in a circle so each person could share words of thanks or gratitude for the year passed then I offered a modified version of a Read More …
Thanksgiving
Choosing Thanks: Don’t Give Thanks, Choose It (#2172)
This morning I preached a Thanksgiving themed sermon at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). Sermon My message, “Choosing Thanks” was based on Deuteronomy 8:7-18 and Luke 17:11-19. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Thanksgiving is just a few days away. To prepare, I’ve been asking people to share some of their family traditions. Most of what I’ve heard so far focuses on the location of the gathering, the guest list, or the menu. And, in it isn’t just Read More …
Top 10 Plates of Food (#2090)
Thanksgiving week has arrived. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family, but also to enjoying great food. Top Plates Last year I tried something new when I wrote Top 10 Plates. In that post I reflected on the most popular plates of food I'd ever shared online through a Google review (ranked by number of views). The process of creating the list was an exercise in remembering not simply the food on the plates but the people I was with and the experience of each meal. Top 10 Read More …
Friendsgiving (#2088)
November is a month that invites us to focus on giving thanks. I, like many Americans, have always gathered at table with my family of origin on or near Thanksgiving. This is a time to deepen connections, give thanks, and enjoy a turkey dinner that includes a large number of sides and desserts. Friendsgiving: Beginnings According to Merriam Webster, "Friendsgiving is a blend of friend and Thanksgiving, and it refers to a large meal eaten with friends either on or Read More …
Giving Thanks – 10 Experiences in 2022 (#2015)
I am thankful for all of the life experiences I've had since last Thanksgiving. Today, I highlight 10 that are particularly memorable and when possible provide links to additional writing related to those experiences: Surviving a brutal assault (Surviving an Attack & Living a Hope-Filled Recovery)Celebrating my partner's promotion to Dean, enjoying our life together, and relocating to my hometown of Arlington, Texas (Heading East)Completing my first year as Executive Director of the Read More …
Giving Thanks – 10 Experiences in 2021 (#1961)
Thanksgiving week has arrived. Last year, I dedicated a post to reflecting on Giving Thanks for 10 Ministry Experiences. This year, I'm giving thanks for 10 meaningful experiences from 2021: Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (see Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine)Starting a new ministry role as Executive Director of White Rock Center of Hope (see My Ministry Journey - Another Big Step)Enjoying my second annual weeklong fall vacation in Naples, FL with my partner - our first two getaways of Read More …
A Thanksgiving/Hanukkah to Remember (#1249)
For the first time in 125 years, Thanksgiving and the first full day of Hanukkah occur on the same day this year. This will be the only time we ever experience a shared day since the next occurrence will not happen for 76,000 years. So What? Most of my readers are Americans who follow the Way of Jesus. As such, most will celebrate Thanksgiving. I encourage you to set aside some time today to learn more about Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, and to share some of what you learned. Read More …
Thankful America Is Not a Christian Nation (#0921)
On this Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful that America is not a Christian nation. Parker Palmer, a best selling author, regularly dispenses incredible wisdom in his writings. In a Huffington Post Thanksgiving article, Palmer shares why he is "grateful that America is not and cannot be a Christian nation." More specifically, he argues that historical and present-day reality clearly show that America is not a Christian nation: Lack of a government established Read More …
Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration (#0557)
Last night I went to Temple Shalom in Naples, FL where I participated in an Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration. This service of worship included people from Celebration Metropolitan Community Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Islamic Center of Naples, Naples United Church of Christ, Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’í's in Naples, Temple Shalom, and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Naples. Together we gave thanks in a service that included music, Read More …
My Thanksgiving Prayer (#0193)
Over the last several days I have read many blogs and news articles, searched Scripture, talked with several people and participated in an interfaith worship service all in an effort to better grasp both Thanksgiving and thankfulness. For some reason, this Thanksgiving what resonates deeply with me are the lyrics to a song: "My Thanksgiving Prayer." I encourage you to take time to read them, then to hear them sung, and finally to offer them as a prayer. In this time of my Read More …