In Memoriam I wrote this post two years ago from a dimly lit room in Prague after visiting a Jewish ghetto and military prison. I am sharing it today on the 75th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation. As I looked through my pictures, all the memories (and the tears) came flooding back.
To the Friends of Vanessa Bryant As soon as I heard the news about Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and the 7 others who died in the helicopter crash, I wanted to chaplain their families. Since I can't, I wrote this instead.
2020 World Mission Conference: Prayer Breakfast I had the honor of speaking at the prayer breakfast to kick off the 2020 World Mission Conference hosted by my home church, First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, Georgia. Read the stories that have opened my eyes to God's redemptive work in the world.
My Thoughts on the World Right Now Iran. Australia. Puerto Rico. Here are my thoughts on the world right now.
New Year, New Job Have you heard the news? I have been offered a full-time, year-long residency with the Northeast Georgia Hospital System...
The Holy Before the Chaos These minutes before Christmas Eve worship services are quickly becoming some of the holiest Christmas moments for me. In the next few hours, hundreds of people will fill these two rooms to worship on Christmas Eve.
Being a Chaplain is easier than... I love the work I get to do as a chaplain. Many times, families will say to me, "Your job must be really hard." And it is, but yesterday I discovered it's much harder to be...
To Everyone Who Gathers To everyone who is gathering today, may it be wonderful! I pray the joy and laughter is more plentiful than the gravy.
Constructive Criticism I find it very difficult to graciously receive constructive criticism. If it’s in passing, I can usually be gracious (i.e., fake composure for the moment, then go fall apart later when I’m alone). I have a real problem with perfectionism...
Happy Pastoral Care Week! Today’s the last day of Pastoral Care Week! So if you run into a chaplain, tell them thanks for all the work they do! I’d like to tell y’all what hospital chaplains do.
I'm Not Confused Oh, I'm DEFINITELY not confused. *The argument over women's ordination ain't new, folks. It's in the news because some "preachers" trash-talked Beth Moore. I've loved seeing people (mostly women, please note) come to her defense. But Beth knows who called her. And I know who called me.
Um, happy birthday? How a simple question - "What do you want for your birthday?" - can go so horribly wrong...
Some Friendly Advice from a Chaplain I've sat with so many people in the last couple of weeks whose spouses died unexpectedly in the hospital. These circumstances are never easy...
'Til We Meet Again I attended a couple of deaths on-call at the hospital last night. One rather large family was alternating between crying and hymn-singing at the bedside of their father and husband who'd just died.
Holy Spirit, do your thang My sermon writing process. OR... I refer to Holy Spirit as "she." And she makes my sermons better.
Usher in Your Peace Lord, usher in a season of your peace...Be with all families in Texas AND Ohio who are waking up and finding themselves living their worst nightmares.
How can I live well today? I heard a great question on a podcast this morning : “How can I live well today?”
Delight I listened to a podcast on delight today. American author Ross Gay talks about the life-changing practice of looking for delight each day.
Sermon Doodles Every conference I attend at Montreat, I try to doodle the sermons. This set was drawn during Montreat's Middle School Conference in the summer of 2019.
The Kids Are Gonna Be Alright If anyone tries to tell you that the kids of today are no good, I will tell you that I’ve seen the exact opposite. I’m so grateful for the compassionate young people I know.
A Bug's Butt When a friend tags you in a Facebook post, saying something made them think of you. Lord, we give thanks.
