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Frederick Buechner once wrote that “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” I’ve known and loved this quote for about a decade or so now, but am only recently learning to articulate how it may, possibly, play out in my life. I’d like to challenge you to consider your own deep gladness, as well as invite you in to mine. It was within the context…
If you stop in my office you will see that I am a big Mr. Rogers fan. Fred Rogers was all about inclusion, love, and grace. When you watched his show you always felt like he was looking straight at you and telling you that you are loved. He talked about our feelings (it’s okay to be angry sometimes) and how to say I’m sorry. Most of all Fred, like Jesus, gave us grace – grace to know that when we mess …
“Okay, so hear me out. What if we’re like the workers at the hotel and everyone else is staying at the hotel and it’s our job to love them so they can learn about Jesus?” “Tell me more.” We were discussing how to be ambassadors of the gospel at JAM (Jesus & Me, our 5th & 6th grade youth group) when one of the students shared this idea. We (the church) are the staff at Hotel Heaven. As guests come…
Studying the Book of Hebrews Hebrews is a bit of a mystery. This series explores its contexts, the unique picture of Jesus that it paints, and the role of a genealogy in understanding the world that was, the one that is, and the world that is to come. The themes of endurance, rest, and faith transcend time and connect the audience of Hebrews and communities of believers today – all believers who s…
“Let us remember the poor, and not forget kindness to strangers; above all, let us love God with all our soul, and might, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.” -- Athanasius of Alexandria (d. 373) I recently started my term on the board of South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM). Jim Guffey, Executive Director, and the entire team did a great job of providing me an orientation to both the boa…
“Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre.” -- Psalm 81:1-2 “Come sing in the choir” are five words that shaped my musical career and my life. I first joined a church choir at the age of 12 after I heard them sing an ethereal anthem that touched my soul. I decided to major in music while I was an unde…
Regular yoga practice offers many benefits, including improved flexibility, increased muscle strength, prevention of cartilage and joint breakdown, and increased bone health. Yoga for cancer patients, however, offers a host of additional benefits, many of which empower patients to take back control of their lives. Yoga4Cancer (y4c) is a class offered to cancer patients and survivors through the…
“I’ve been looking forward to this event since last year’s ended. It was a great way to unplug from the chaos of a busy fall schedule. It’s a nice mix of quiet reflection, group discussion, and bonding that left me feeling closer to God and closer to other members of our congregation, some of whom I had not met until that day.” We all need a break now and then, time to allow the spirit to replenish…
