Bad weather and strong winds had descended on a remote farm, and a flock of birds were huddled in a tree in distress. The farmer, observing their distress, did what he could to help them, but all attempts to communicate with them failed, because the birds were frightened by the man’s efforts. “If only I…
It certainly has been a season.
On a hot and humid evening in late July, I sat in a dimly lit air-conditioned room on the campus of Slippery Rock University and wept. I was not alone in the room—which was partly why I was crying. (These were the happy tears.) For the first time since Jubilee 2020, I was surrounded by…
In Every Season: A CCO Advent 2021 Devotional
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity underthe heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…a time to weepand a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance… He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternityin the human…
And here we are in Advent.
In April, just a few weeks into my new routine of working from home and ordering groceries online and only visiting with people through my computer screen, I sent out an email with this subject heading: “Honestly hadn’t planned on giving up quite this much for Lent.” And here we are in Advent. A couple…
Second Sunday of Advent: Seeds of Trust
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,and the heavens are the work of your hands.They will perish, but you remain;they will all wear out like a garment.Like clothing you will change themand they will be discarded.But you remain the same,and your years will never end. —Psalm 102:25-27 (Read Psalm 102) Let nothing…
“Honestly hadn’t planned on giving up quite this much for Lent.”
Corona Diaries, Day 20: Thursday, April 2, 2020 “Honestly hadn’t planned on giving up quite this much for Lent.” This tweet from Andy Crouch was posted on Friday afternoon, March 13, 2020. Coincidentally, that’s the last day I spent any appreciable time away from my house. Yep. Friday the 13th. I got up that morning and went…
The Helpers
“The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) Yesterday, 11 people got out of bed and got dressed and did what I imagine they did every Saturday morning. They went to worship with their respective congregations at the Tree of Life Synagogue at the corner of Wilkins and…
Em Dash Amy
On July 15, 2018, at the CCO’s annual celebration banquet in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, I was recognized for 30 years of service with the Coalition for Christian Outreach. Here is what was said about me, and the amazing gift that was presented to me at the end of the evening. To God be the glory!…
The 30-year reunion
When I showed up at Allegheny College at the beginning of June for my 30th reunion, I was excited to spend a few days with my friends in the place where we first met. Michelle, Ann, Terri, Lori, and I were barely 18 years old in 1984, our freshman year. We hadn’t declared our majors…
The day after Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day 2018
I sat in church last night, awaiting the imposition of ashes on my forehead and contemplating my mortality. From dust you came, and to dust you shall return. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. I sat in silence, trying to examine my own heart and my need for forgiveness and redemption, and my thoughts inevitably…
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