This is an entry in the “Acrostic Contemplations.” “Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name” I was sitting in a meeting of the university deans with the president and the provost presiding. We were discussing language for a new campaign, considering what slogan […]
Bible
This is an entry in the “Acrostic Contemplations” and began as a sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent (February 25, 2024). “[The LORD] brought Abram outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall […]
This is an entry in the “Acrostic Contemplations.” “Bless your heart!” It is a phrase heard often in the Southern United States. Often said with great sincerity, often an older person expressing genuine sympathy, it can also cut against the grain, suggesting mockery or condescension. As the site “It’s a […]
As a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid #BibleGatewayPartner, I was offered the opportunity to review a free copy of The Evangelical Study Bible (Thomas Nelson Bibles, 2023; evangelicalstudybible.com). It is available for purchase from the FaithGateway Store and Amazon. TLDR “Too Long Didn’t Read,” as the kids say: […]
A sermon for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 7, 2023) Yesterday was the coronation of King Charles III, whose mother the Queen once worshipped here, in this congregation. Like many of you, I watched the service, and I was struck by a particular prayer uttered when the Archbishop of […]
The Diocese of Lexington (KY) is offering a 5-week “Spiritual Exercise” formation class. The live Zoom sessions started last week, but you can view the videos for yourself at your own pace. Tonight (March 1, 2021) I will be leading a discussion of the importance of the study of the […]
The Gospel reading for today, November 18, 2020, is Luke 17:11-19. The following is an excerpt from my book Beautiful and Terrible Things and considers why this one leper turned back to Jesus. In Luke’s Gospel, just before Jesus says that, “in fact, the kingdom of God is among you,” […]
As a member of the Bible Gateway “Bloggers Grid,” I was invited to review the new comic version of the Gospel of Matthew by Simon Amadeus Pillario. It was released on September 4, 2020 and you can buy it directly at the creator’s site, https://www.wordforwordbiblecomic.com/buy. Longtime readers of this site will […]
This essay was written as part of the outreach program of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington to continue to minister to our community in this time of uncertainty and “social distancing” that requires not meeting in person. For essays by my friends and colleagues go to “Calming the […]
A sermon preached at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, KY. Proper 14 (19) (August 9, 2020)Alternate First reading and Psalm• 1 Kings 19:9-18• Psalm 85:8-13Second reading• Romans 10:5-15Gospel• Matthew 14:22-33 19:11 [God] said [to Elijah], “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD […]