There’s something circulating in higher theological education called the Cosmic Egg. It’s not hard to hold, but it has massive implications to how we live. The Cosmic Egg has three interconnected layers, and they each matter. The yolk (interior layer) is “My Story.” It’s the individuation of my personhood. My gifts, insights, and abilities to … Continue reading My Story. Our Story. The Story.
Goodness
VIEW SERMON Mind: One definition of Goodness is, “Seeing the best of what is.” This week, pay attention to whether your mind goes to the best or to the worst in each situation, conversation, encounter that you have. If it does not see the best, intentionally find something good in that moment. “Don’t look at … Continue reading Goodness
Secret
While our California grandchildren (and their parents) were visiting, we tried to find something a little different to do with them. We remembered that they have never been to Hammocks Beach State Park, so we loaded up the cars with picnic and beach supplies and headed east. If you are not familiar with Hammocks Beach … Continue reading Secret
Kindness
VIEW SERMON “Do justice, Love kindness, Walk humbly with God.” – from Micah 6:8 Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. In Micah 6:8, we read that God just doesn’t tell us that we should be kind to one another; God commands that we ‘Love kindness.’ We should practice kindness so much … Continue reading Kindness
Jump!
After a week at the beach, we are back in Wallace. Our California offspring are here for one more week before they have to return to the dull and boring life of southern California. Sure, they have beautiful beaches and superb mountain trails, Hollywood and stuff like that, but they do not have the “Redneck … Continue reading Jump!
Patience
VIEW SERMON BEING – Praying a Psalm of Lament Many of the Psalms are prayers of lament. Pray aloud one of these Psalms (Psalm 3, 6, 31, 86). Allow these prayers to become your own way of expressing your frustrations, disappointments, and suffering to God. KNOWING – The 4Rs for Practicing Patience Patience seems to come … Continue reading Patience
Life Guard
This is family beach week for our crew down at Wrightsville Beach. Unfortunately, our son and his family have been passing Covid around, so they were not able to join us. While we are at the beach, we love fishing, body surfing, walking and just playing in the water. We make it a point to … Continue reading Life Guard
Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
VIEW SERMON Move Closer to JesusPrepare for WorryBe a Peacemaker Being/Spirit: Move Closer to Jesus Use this picture of Rembrandt’s, The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, as part of your prayer time to cultivate peace in the chaos of life. What storm is rocking your boat?Where do you find yourself in the picture?What would … Continue reading Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
Creatures
ENan and I are bi-coastal grandparents, with two grandchildren on the west coast and two on the east coast. In addition to our grandchildren – who provide a lot of material for these homilies – we also have two grand-dogs, several grand-chickens, a grand-rabbit and (until recently) a grand-guinea pig. Many of our friends are … Continue reading Creatures
Fruit of the Spirit: Love
VIEW SERMON Being/Spirit: We can’t give what we do not have. To cultivate a life that bears fruit, we have to Start with God. To sit before God regularly and be reminded that we are God’s beloved; to make room for God’s love in us. Each day this week, or as many days as you … Continue reading Fruit of the Spirit: Love
Stuck
After several weeks of drought, we have finally had some good soaking rains in Duplin County. Most have been “sizzer-sozzer” rains (just a little more than a drizzle) but a few have been “toad-frog stranglers.” (You can guess what type of rain that is.) I was headed toward Wilmington one morning when I spotted this … Continue reading Stuck
Hands
This past weekend was a very special time for our church and for our family. ENan was ordained as a deacon along with nine other individuals. For those of you not familiar with the term, “deacon,” it is a Biblical term that comes from two Greek words that mean “through dust.” The image is that … Continue reading Hands
The Discipline of Silence
Last Sunday, in worship, I got to experience for the first time our Discipline of Silence. I knew this was something that Barrett would be introducing to us, but I had forgotten to expect it. It brought me right back to St. John’s Abbey in Minnesota, where I spent a week during my sabbatical; right … Continue reading The Discipline of Silence
Diving
ENan and I have been on some memorable adventures in the 50 years we have been together (47 years married plus 3 years dating.) I have enjoyed sharing some of these adventures with you over the past thirty years since Covid happened. (It seems like it’s been that long.) Last weekend we shared an experience … Continue reading Diving
Letter
I don’t know who is responsible for the messages in the sand next to Johnnie Mercer’s pier but they have been appearing for a while now. It seems that each time we go to Wrightsville Beach we find a new message carefully carved into the sand. It must take some time and patience to leave … Continue reading Letter