I carried my morning cup of tea into the backyard early today to drink it in the quiet and relative cool of the day. My dogs, at least for this morning staying nearby and not clamoring for one of their “let’s run away” ventures, wandered around the backyard hoping for new smells. I heard a slight cracking sound and looked around. Jake, the very large yellow lab whom I’ve often described as being quite handsome but remarkably stupid, had broken... Read more
Earlier this week, I sat for a while in the Denton City Juvenile Court, just as an observer. A court official called out names. Each name was repeated into a room behind the court. Then the young offenders, dressed in shapeless and ill-fitting jumpsuits, would walk in, their hands touching behind their backs, elbows akimbo, and join family members standing before the judge. Each had spent at least the weekend in juvenile lockup, some longer than that. After initial instructions... Read more
There’s an article in this past week’s NY Times that quickly made its way through a circle of colleagues and acquaintances:The opening paragraph reads: Onstage before thousands of believers weighed down by debt and economic insecurity, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland and their all-star lineup of “prosperity gospel” preachers delighted the crowd with anecdotes about the luxurious lives they had attained by following the Word of God.” As I continued reading the article, my frustration and anger grew. This is all... Read more
There are few things more precious in Texas during August than a parking spot in the shade. It means some relief from the horrid heat when re-entering the car after some time outside. So, when I pulled into a parking lot recently and saw that it looked like there might be a hint of shade in one empty parking spot, I was delighted. What good luck! However, when I reached the spot, I discovered that the car already there had... Read more
“We have not heard the cry of the needy.” This is a phrase in the general confession of the church that we often pray as we prepare our hearts and minds to receive and grant forgiveness. “We have not heard the cry . . .” This phrase took special meaning this past Sunday. A young woman, Brittany Burrows, who had just spent most of last year as a volunteer worker in an orphanage in the Congo in the central part... Read more
Despite my best efforts, a rosebush planted this spring in the backyard of the parsonage has died. Now, when I purchased this one, it was part of a multiple purchase of roses. Some were climbers I had bought before and knew took little care and would grow well. Others were what are called “knock-out” roses, bred to be easy to grow and with little trouble. Another were called “Peggy Norman” roses–so hardy that they were still blooming and thriving after... Read more
So what is it about snakes? Actually, what is it about words that start with an “sn”? Like sneer, snail, snark, snoop, snit, snot, snippy, snafu, snaggle, snare, snarl, sneeze, sniffles, snipe, snivel, snicker, sneak, snore, snort, snitch, sniff, and probably lots more that don’t just pop into my mind right now? As for snakes in particular–there is one currently inhabiting the back yard of the parsonage. I know it is going after the toads, which I want back there... Read more
A week ago on Monday, I drove to Richardson to spend a few hours with my mother. I brought her one of her favorite meals and we sat at the kitchen table chatting and enjoying our food. On the kitchen counter sits a small TV, and she, as is normal to her, had it tuned to an all-day news channel, but with the sound off. At one point, I glanced at it and saw in the corner of the screen... Read more
At the beginning of this week, I received a letter from a family for whom I have great respect. They are a family of some wealth and privilege, fairly young, healthy, with intelligent and gifted children. The kind of family every church wants. They wrote in their letter their extreme displeasure with me as a pastor, spoke disparagingly of my character, and withdrew their membership from the church. Much pain in my soul–grief over their departure, grief over significant misunderstandings,... Read more
“Are you calling me a liar?” I looked at the person who spoke those words to me, and was stung–not by the words so much as by what I had just said. It was something to the effect of “I don’t believe you.” By saying that, I was indeed calling that person a liar. The starting point for me in that conversation was, “I’m suspicious of you; I’m distrustful of your words.” Essentially, I was receiving what was said with... Read more
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