Hearing the word “Chrismon” in worship yesterday unlocked a long-forgotten memory. That simple word took me back almost forty years to the sanctuary in Dallas where my family worshiped when I was a child, and Bob was my pastor. As they often do, this snapshot in time evoked memories of the people involved in that […]
An Honest Advent
Advent begins this Sunday. For me—even in years when it’s not one of the lectionary readings—Advent is always about how Isaiah’s voice breaks the silence. I see him in his crumbled world, just looking into the heavens and crying out: “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down!” Never has the longing […]
Leadership by Disappointment
“If your preacher doesn’t preach about ____________ at your church this Sunday, then you should leave that congregation and never go back.” What fills the blank is whatever has aroused the speaker’s passion in that particular moment. And apparently it doesn’t matter what things might be consuming other hearts with just as much passion, this […]
And Then the Silence
Good Friday is so loud. Can you hear the noise? From the chaos of the crowd to the sound of driven nails. From the shouts of “crucify him” to the laughter of those mocking the one called the king of the Jews. From the laughter of those gambling for what’s left of his clothes to […]
Crushing Loneliness
“If you come back to church next Sunday and one thing has changed for the better, what would it be?” Among the many responses to that final question from a congregational survey, one stood out: “Someone will know my name.” In the ten years since reading those words, I’ve noticed how loneliness sucks life out […]
Maybe You Should Be Angry
Anger haunts the landscape around us. And while you could argue that’s always been the case, that anger has filled the air since the first human breath, I sense it’s getting worse. Do you see it too? That’s why these words by Presbyterian pastor Frederick Buechner sound with such force for me: “Of the Seven […]