Category Archives: Devotionals

Why I Don’t Say “I’m Blessed”

Posted on November 19, 2012 by

Ask some Christians, particularly African-American Christians, how they are and they respond:  “I’m blessed!”  I find the response appealing.  While it can seem rote, it is usually said with such conviction and emphasis it appears to come from a place … Continue reading →

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What “births” are you not imagining?

Posted on November 14, 2012 by

“How many stars do you see?” God asks, having led Abraham out of his tent late one night. Abraham starts counting.  He gets to one hundred when he is interrupted. “It’s a metaphor, Abraham.  You can stop counting.” God and … Continue reading →

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A Too Settled Church/A Too Settled Life

Posted on November 9, 2012 by

“Wilderness” is not an appealing concept or destination.  Wilderness is associated with the struggle to survive.  The earth is parched, water and food are scare, and the sun beats down on one’s head.  Strangely, the prophet Jeremiah, who can be … Continue reading →

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You Will Be Afraid . . .

Posted on November 2, 2012 by

You will be afraid but fear will not overwhelm you You will cry but your tears will not define your life You will be angry but anger will not eat you up You will be confused but you will find … Continue reading →

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Has your Christianity been stunted by using only one approach to God?

Posted on October 5, 2012 by

In his book Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality, J. Philip Newell describes two paths to God which have been taken by Christians. In the year 664, in a mixed religious community under the leadership of a … Continue reading →

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Biblical Shit (literally) and Our Shit

Posted on September 26, 2012 by

Ezekiel 4:12 You shall eat it as a barley-cake, baking it in their sight on human dung. I think I just lost my appetite for freshly baked bread, particularly Ezekiel bread.  How about you?  I find this cooking method nauseous. … Continue reading →

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How Much Family Do You Have?

Posted on September 25, 2012 by

How much family do you have? a family tree a branch a twig or no family at all? God, thank you for the families we have.  For those with little or no family provide a new family.  Amen.

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How Many Demons Does It Take To . . .

Posted on September 25, 2012 by

How many demons does it take to: mess up a day hijack a conversation end a marriage create chaos in a church put a young person on the wrong track alter a person’s health destroy a life? God, help us … Continue reading →

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Sometimes It Just Doesn’t Work Out – A Great Story Told At A Funeral

Posted on August 2, 2012 by

Betty Ann Banister was super smart.  As her son, Mike, tells it, his mom tried to work into almost every conversation that she was the valedictorian of her high school. Despite her brains, Ms. Betty did have her challenges.  Ms. … Continue reading →

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The Last Good Rich Person

Posted on July 26, 2012 by

“Only one rich person has been motivated by Jesus to restore justice and share his/her wealth, and that is Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1ff).” [Ulrich Duchrow, “Difficulties and Opportunities for Theology in Today’s World,” in Marcella Althaus-Reid, Ivan Petrella and Luiz Carlos … Continue reading →

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