After Dad’s funeral and the church lunch, Dad’s younger brother David washed Mom’s dusty wine glasses and suggested we have a round of toasting to honor my father.  So as the grandchildren played in the front yard, we pulled dining room chairs into mom’s living room and each of us shared a few reflections on […]

Driving back from our All Church Retreat last night, I thought about the Talent Show I had just left.  Traditionally children, as young as four, share jokes with the congregation.  One of our younger children delivered her “Knock Knock” joke and the congregation burst into hearty applause. You should have seen her face light up […]

My plan was to preach about how prayer fosters stewardship within us: as prayer connects us with God, who is generous, we become generous.  I planned to talk about how prayer is much more than asking, but instead grounds us in God’s grace.  My sermon was tracking along nicely until Thursday when a request to […]

Now, you need to understand that Connie and I once spent the night in a tent with our dog who had just been sprayed by skunk. We are dog people, maybe to a fault.  In our 35 years of marriage we have had 4 dogs: Millie the wonder dog, Sandie a beautiful English Bird Dog […]

My brother, John, made Allstate Gold Band playing the bassoon and maybe Silver band on his marching band instrument the tuba. John made the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps and played his bassoon in college bands and ensembles. These days John plays the guitar for fun and plays bassoon in a community orchestra. His […]

A few years ago, I attended a dinner party with a vegetarian friend. The smell of bread baking greeted us as we walked in, and freshly cut flowers brightened each table. The host elegantly plated each meal. When the host presented garnished chicken to our vegetarian friend, I almost spoke up. But before I could […]

How do you hope people describe you when you are not around to hear?  I was working a little retail job, when a regular customer came in.  The owner happened to be in the office and jumped up greeting the customer like an old friend. After the sale, the proprietor walked the customer to the […]

Never a hiker, Mom was 79 when she decided to hike to the top of Mount LeConte with us. My cousin Ruth convinced mom to buy hiking boots and take daily training walks. After hiking 9 miles and gaining 2,000 feet, Granny Due, and Connie arrived at the cabins in time for dinner but well […]

Exodus’s story of oppression and liberation opens with a reference to the nation forgetting its history.  Here is a quick recap!  Abraham and Sarah’s grandson Joseph was a dreamer, young, fashion forward, a bit braggadocious, and a snitch. His brothers sell Joseph into slavery. Driven, cunning, and wise, Joseph overcame slavery to save Egypt, becoming […]

It was as bad a worship service as I have ever been a part of. I came to call it “nuclear Sunday” as the congregation almost melted down. Our implosion began just before the benediction with an announcement that a beloved staff member had resigned, upon which, the aforementioned staff member stood up and loudly […]