This morning I served as guest pastor at Central Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Dallas, Texas. It was a joy to be with them for a second time (last year I joined them for worship as a guest preacher). Central Lutheran Church is among the founding member churches of White Rock Center of Hope. It was also WRCH's founder, Donagene Christian's church. I'm thankful for their continued strong support of WRCH and for Rev. Veronika Czutor's invitation to step in this morning while she is Read More …
Discipleship
Another New Year’s Resolution? (#2100)
Passage for Reflection: James 3:13-18 Happy New Year! How did you celebrate the conclusion of 2023 and the start of 2024? Did you stay home and go to bed well before midnight or opt to ring in the new year with a few people who are dear to you or were you among those who ventured out to be part of a large event? Did you think about the life you want to lead in the year ahead and make some new year’s resolutions or public commitments to live differently or did you choose to abstain Read More …
Wrapping Up The Year of Clarity (#2098)
My first post of 2023, Star Word for 2023, introduced the word I received on Epiphany to guide me through the year ahead: clarity. In that post I suggested that while 2022 had been marked by transition, 2023 would be a season of increasing clarity personally and professionally. Personally Reflecting on 2023, I see numerous ways in which the year has been marked by clarity in my personal life. Three important experiences that have informed my increased clarity Read More …
Happy New Year! Celebrating Visits to 12 Churches (#2093)
Happy New Year! Or, more precisely happy new church year. For those in liturgical traditions, Advent starts a new year in the life of the church. Advent is about preparing for what's to come. And, in many traditions, today started with an emphasis on hope. In the year that just ended, I found much to be hopeful for in my experiences with many local communities of faith, especially the 12 congregations located in the greater Dallas Fort Worth metropolitan area that are profiled below. 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 …
Giving Thanks – 10 Experiences in 2023 (#2089)
I am thankful for all of the life experiences I’ve had since last Thanksgiving. Today, I highlight 10 that are particularly memorable and provide links to additional writing related to those experiences: Being ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ (My Ordination & Installation)Celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana and Navarre, FloridaStarting my 3rd year at White Rock Center of Hope (Starting Year 3 at White Rock Center of Hope) and 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 …
My Ordination (and Installation) #2087
Yesterday, I was ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ and installed as the CEO of White Rock Center of Hope through a four way covenant. My Journey Toward Ordination I received a call to vocational ministry as a teenager and have sought to live that out ever since. That quest started with earning an undergraduate degree in ministry and then a seminary degree (M. Div.). And, it has continued in the 22 years since finishing those foundational theological studies. I've Read More …
It’s Happening & You’re Invited: Ordination Update #14 (#2084)
I'm pleased to share that I'll be ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023! If you are in or near the Dallas area, you are invited to attend the service, which will be held at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ. Please help spread the word. About the Process If you are familiar with my story at all you likely know that I started in ministry in a very traditional manner by completing academic preparation (an undergraduate Read More …
10 Invitations to Conversation (#2083)
While I read many new books and share ratings for the best of them with you once a month, I most frequently share quotes of interest via X, the platform previously known asTwitter. Today, I'm sharing 10 quotes from recently published books as an invitation to theological conversation about one or more of the topics they explore. Read More …