Note: the following address was given at a retreat for artists and songwriters in Knoxville, TN, in December 2021 In my life as a pastor, I have been saved by the wisdom of my elders. Not saved in the sense of my soul’s reconciliation with God, but saved from predictableContinue Reading

Ancient words never cease to surprise how they address modern concerns. Take, for instance, the Old Testament reading from Morning Prayer today in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer. The prophet Samuel testifies with a clean conscience about his conduct as Israel’s spiritual leader throughout his life: “Here I am;Continue Reading

A few days ago I searched online for a new book on baseball, the young season having enchanted my love for the game again this year. I’ve bypassed Roger Angell’s baseball prose much too long, so I placed Game Time: A Baseball Companion in my Amazon cart. Then I hadContinue Reading

I imagine that January 6, 2021 will indeed be a day we remember when, where, and how we heard news that shook us to the core, the invasion of the U.S. Capitol. I watched the violence and vandalism by rioters in disbelief. I could not gather my thoughts through the afternoonContinue Reading

On the first Sunday of Advent, I reach for my purple stole to begin my favorite season of the Christian year. I must savor these moments because they will pass quickly. Advent ends just as it’s beginning. Four Sundays I will speak on the themes of waiting and exile, repentanceContinue Reading