"The tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'" (Luke 18.13) A common exercise that was used for many years to build self-esteem in elementary age students was to have each student make… Continue reading “A Wretch Like Me”
Orans
"Moses' hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other." (Exodus 17.12) C.S. Lewis made the argument in his book, "Screwtape Letters," that the physical posture we take when we pray makes… Continue reading Orans
Thank You, Jesus!
"Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?" (Luke 17.17) Ingratitude has an ugly face and no amount of makeup can turn it pretty. I remember an attorney friend telling me a story about the ugly face of ingratitude that he had seen. He explained to me that he had served as… Continue reading Thank You, Jesus!
Creatures of Habit
Did you know it only takes six weeks to form a habit? That is not by my calculation. That conclusion comes from smarter people than I. The people who study people like you and me have determined that if we want to form a habit--just about any habit--then we need to do it every day… Continue reading Creatures of Habit
Talking Above Their Heads
Over my lifetime, I have not mastered a single language, including English, my native language. I still have to go to the dictionary--these days the internet--to look up the meaning of a word, with about the same frequency as I have to go to the bathroom. At various points in my life, usually points where… Continue reading Talking Above Their Heads
“Put On Your Apron”
"So, you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have only done our duty.'" Luke 17.10 My uncle wore an apron every Sunday morning. Whenever I think of him, my first memory goes to the long white apron that he looped over his neck… Continue reading “Put On Your Apron”
Gone Are the Sounds of Summer
Gone is the sound of the cicadas as they pierce the air with lusty songs and fill the stillness with high-pitched voices that call listeners to a game of hide-and-go seek, going dead-silent when footsteps near. Where have you gone, O sounds of summer? Gone is the sound of little boys on bicycles, racing down… Continue reading Gone Are the Sounds of Summer
A Letter from Mommy to her Little Boy, Now an Angel in Heaven
My sweet baby boy, I knew the name I would give you as soon as I heard the doctor tell me you would be a boy. I didn't have to go to a book to find a name. I felt it in my heart and I spoke it softly on my lips. It was perfect.… Continue reading A Letter from Mommy to her Little Boy, Now an Angel in Heaven
Rags
As she stepped into the room, she stooped a bit from the years piled upon her shoulders like bricks on a wall, but the smile on her face was as sincere as a child's. She betrayed her years as well with her hurried speech, words tumbling out of her mouth like a spilled jar of… Continue reading Rags
“Walling In and Walling Out”
"Between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours." (Luke 16.26) A rabbi remembers the moment he found his calling. It happened the summer he volunteered to help on a building project in Ghana.… Continue reading “Walling In and Walling Out”
Sunday Brunch 