Oct 2, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
There is nothing prosaic about the Lord’s Prayer. I begin with that claim not only to get your attention but to dogmatical state a fact. I repeat it, there is nothing prosaic about the Lord’s Prayer. Ponder for a moment. This prayer is the most familiar of Christians...
Sep 26, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
During the last few weeks, when I awake in the middle of the night and don’t return to sleep quickly, in my mind I sing. Interestingly the most frequent songs that come to mind are Gospel Songs that we sang in the little country church of my youth over 70 years ago....
Sep 18, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
The problem is a common one…Continuous indecision. Life on earth is life in the making. It involves constant choice and constant conflict. Conflict between the different facets of our nature that vie for allegiance. Conflict between the different causes that clamor...
Sep 14, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
My family was not long on formality. To say that we were “casual” may be an understatement. Warmth of relationship and the caring of my parents is what I remember most. How we related to and treated another, whether formal or casual, is what mattered. That was...
Sep 5, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
This week Russia’s former President, Mikhail Gorbachev, was buried in what the newspaper described as a low-key funeral service. When I read that, I remembered an encounter with Gorbachev that was not “low-key” for me. I was with 20 other ministers visiting Russia...
Aug 29, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
I wrote last week about Elvis. We had just closed Elvis Week in Memphis and I had seen the movie “Elvis.” My continued reflection may say more about me than about him. I won’t even try to rationalize why and what I’m thinking about one of the most celebrated...