Social Networking Experiments

There was a recent story about social networking. Ok, there have been many stories recently, about social networking. In one, particular story there was a comment about the number of people who are checking Facebook updates on their smartphones before they get out of bed, or perhaps they get onto Facebook on their computer (poor saps, with such obsolete equipment) while getting their first cup of coffee. A minister on staff of a rather large church that will use time in the morning with facebook, email, and other social networking as her time for personal meditation. This is a younger person who

A Beautiful Song and A Beautiful Singer

Waking From Dreamless Sleep

Recently, I was revisited by an experience for early in my ministry. As a young pastor I was serving in a rural/residential congregation. One of the men in the church had been a FDR Democrat, was a proud union member, a blue collar worker all of his life. He was a “man’s man.” When I knew him, he had been retired and enjoying some of “the fruits of his labors.” Then he ended up having a heart by-pass surgery.

MLiBB 2. Breakthrough with Friendships

Elementary School years were a pretty good time for me. My family moved when I was in the second grade, from Tampa, where we had been living in rental homes, to Orange Park, a “bed room” community south of Jacksonville. Our house sat at the main entrance to the school where I would attend the remainder of 2nd and continue through the 6th grade.

MLiBB 1 -- My First Break in Life

When I was in the first grade I experienced my first broken bone. It all started out innocently, enough, but isn’t that usually the case. A group of us kids from the street were at my next door neighbor’s house playing Cannon Ball. Cannon Ball is a simple, imaginative game. One person, usually a bigger one in the group, lays down with his back on the ground to be the Cannon. He draws his legs up to his chest, with feet positioned for the Ball. The Ball is a lighter kid who simply sits on the feet of the Cannon. The Cannon then launches the Ball for a squealing flight in the air, landing safely several feet away.

Doing and Being

Last week I began looking over the scriptures for this Sunday's worship and sermon, Luke 9:51-62. It was an interesting passage about Jesus, that  "his face was set toward toward Jerusalem" and then he encountered some eager and reluctant followers.

Life Is An Adventure

There are days when all goes according to plan and we work through the events of the day and keep moving forward. Then there are days like yesterday.

Oily Culpability

The news is still overshadowed by the oily mess in the Gulf of Mexico. How long has it been? Over a month? The underwater oil well malfunctioned and now barrels of oil are spewing into the gulf, about a mile deep. What comes to the surface is creating a huge economic disaster as it is now reaching shore along Louisiana's coastal marshes and estuaries. The full impact cannot be understood this early,

it's Pentecost

Beginning Introduction

For about twelve years I have been working as a hospice chaplain. This is a full-time job that can be very rewarding, but can also be emotionally draining, as you could imagine. Over the years I have also taken on part-time pastoral work with smaller membership congregations in the area. Most recently, I spent almost three years with a church where I would lead worship and preach on a weekly basis, plus take on some other responsibilities with pastoral leadership. It has been about a year since that job came to an end. It has been a pleasure to become part of another community of faith in a non-clergy role. As it turns out, the pastor is taking a three month sabbatical this summer and has asked if I could provide temporary pastoral supply during her absence. Of course, I said yes. So now I am preparing for my summer. I anticipate making occasional posts related to my journey through this experience. You are welcome to journey with me and offer your reflections. 

Friday Five: Family Trees

From RevGalBlogPals: The most recent weekly Friday Five is about Family Trees. My answers follow the posted questions. 

1. Do you have any interest in genealogy?
Some interest. My dad has done a good bit of work in this area, on which I have piggy backed.

2. Which countries did your ancestors come from?
Mostly England, although I claim Scotts-Irish roots, being the good Presbyterian that I am.

3. Who is the farthest back ancestor whose name you know?
My dad located ancestors who fought in the American Revolution. There was at least one on each side.

4. Any favorite saints or sinners in the group?
Just a bunch of characters.

5. What would you want your descendants to remember about you?
They will probably remember that I ministered to people who were dying (hospice chaplain); I wonder if anyone will remember how I would make people groan with a single pun?

Bonus: a song, prayer, or poem that speaks of family--blood or chosen--to you.
I rather like "Secret O' Life," by James Taylor

Roses are Knockouts.

We planted these roses last Mothers Day. They were beautiful last summer. Already they are gorgeous. I enjoy working with Melissa on the yard. We've done a nice job, if I do say so myself. And she is a delight to work with.