Good morning... I've told you about Martha Kimbel, our friend who had taught beloved fitnesses classes at Northside Church for twenty-five years. Eight years ago her husband's Alzheimer's worsened and she needed to stay home as his full time caregiver. Two years ago, her husband, Chris, went to heaven. Martha feared her dancing days were over, but, in [...]
Good morning... As we wake to freeze warnings here in Atlanta, Georgia, I think of those without shelter tonight, living outside, just trying to get through the long, long hours. And with funding for food stamps being withheld, many in our community are also battling hunger this dark, frigid night. In these still moments, my focused prayer turns [...]
Good morning... All day long, God was connecting our dots. The image above came to me from a loyal reader right after I wrote our blog post, Prevent Suicide, How? What a perfect prayer to connect our dots. Loving Father, Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care and love [...]
Good morning... "Steve and I have had a good time of connecting about our day," I texted my friend at 9:02 yesterday morning. "Here is what we have come up with." "Steve is leading communion at Kairos at 10:00 am, the vibrant little Presbyterian church off 285 on Riverside Dr.," I explained. "After that service, we plan to [...]
Good morning... Today is November 1st, the day the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits are set to expire for millions of vulnerable Americans. A 2023 report revealed that, of food stamp recipients in our country, about 39% were children, 20% were elderly, and 10% were non-elderly individuals with a disability. Though [...]
Good morning... One of my favorite hours in the week holds space for our therapeutic community group to gather around the sacred table at PAWkids. Unique adults - small and tall, young and old, black and white, male and female - we are guided through creative activities which help us to express the wide range of emotions washing [...]
Good morning... Yesterday, a longtime friend texted in the morning. "This is such a God-wink," she wrote. "Henri Nouwen's devotional appeared, back to back, with your message for today, Peace From Beyond." Our blog post ended with this blessing: May peace fill our lungs and release our tense shoulders, as we return, again and again, to a state [...]
Good morning... Tomorrow, our faithful family at Northside Church is celebrating 75 fertile years of sharing the love of Christ. I love the logo designed by our talented Creative Art department, especially the winding river of stones pouring through the centered cross of Christ. This "river of life" adorns the floor in Northside's sacred prayer chapel. I believe [...]
Good morning... Last Sunday, I worshiped with my friend at Swannanoa Church in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene devastated much of the area one year ago this week. Friendly, multi-generational, bursting with authentic connection, the community church felt real and restorative. "There is nothing like living through tragedy together to create a lasting bond," I thought to myself. [...]
Good morning... Last weekend, I visited a friend in Black Mountain, North Carolina. I asked her to take me around to see places devastated by Hurricane Helene, and I listened as she shared her experience of the tremendous tragedy. The vicious storm struck in the middle of the night on September 27, 2024, (one year ago right now) [...]
