Good morning... In mid November, our Mission Circle gathered at Northside Church to donate items and assemble Thanksgiving boxes for twenty-three of the food-insecure families at Sutton Middle School. After loading up the truck and driving the Thanksgiving meals across the street to the school, I received a text from one of the group leaders. [...]
Good morning... On a last minute walk yesterday, a friend shared with me the quote above. "God will take you where you hadn't intended to go in order to produce in you what you could not achieve on your own. It's uncomfortable, but it's grace." A few minutes later, we noticed a spider dangling precariously close to the [...]
Good morning... For many of us the Thanksgiving holiday involves people, lots of imperfect people. Well-meaning and flawed, imperfection is baked into our human nature. To prepare myself for the stretching hours ahead, I return now to wisdom found on page 184 in The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian McLaren. [...]
Good morning... Yesterday morning, I happened upon a poem by Jan Richardson in her book The Cure for Sorrow. I was touched by Jan's wisdom and texted these words to a few close friends. Friends who are grieving the slow loss of a loved one with Alzheimers. Friends who have gracefully lived on while mourning the death of [...]
Good morning... I borrowed a book from my friend yesterday, Lifesigns by Henri Nouwen. On page 22, Nouwen offers us tangible wisdom taught by his spiritual mentor. ****** When Jean Vanier speaks about an intimate place, he often stretches out his arm and cups his hand as if to hold a small wounded bird. He asks: "What will [...]
Good morning... In our therapeutic community group at PAWkids last week, the therapist handed out a simple drawing on a white sheet of paper. She pointed out a universal truth. "We can live in a house of fear or we can live in a house of love." On the back of my paper, I jotted down these notes. [...]
Good morning... Before church on Sunday, my friend sent me this incredible documentary featuring first-hand footage of utter devastation in the North Carolina mountains. Entitled "HURRICANE HELENE: A Love Letter to Appalachia," this touching tribute captivated all of me. I soaked in the sacred offering, pondering the power of our prayers being lifted, "sending vibrations and healing energy" [...]
Good morning... In the wee hours of the night, I research the history of Veterans Day. Discovering an informative article, I read a concise description. "Veterans Day is a U.S. legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars, and Veterans Day 2024 will occur on Monday, November 11. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th [...]
Good morning... This Halloween morning 2024, I notice three things. An ending. A beginning. And the culmination of a fun season. First, today is the ending to the registration period for our "Finding Peace of Mind Through Brain Science & Spiritual Practices: A Faith-Based Symposium" being hosted at The Carter Center on November 15th. Remember? My dear friend [...]
Good morning... Another beautiful gift coming from Ignatius House Retreat Center this week is the following story about compassion, kindness, and the face of Christ in the checkout line. What a wonderful reminder as we wake on day 25 of the KIND30 movement! ****** The Face of Christ in the Checkout Line by Michael Leach When I was [...]
