Book allowance. It’s one of those lines in the budget that pastors have used for a long time. It’s used to buy books which are the resources from which lots of study happens. Before it becomes a sentence in a sermon it was probably a sentence in a book that the pastor read. We Presbyterians … Continue reading Of Boxes and Books
Out of the Habit
I am a creature of habit. Nothing special about that—we all are, are we not? That’s not to say that we keep the same habits. Each of us has our own little rituals and routines that are not practiced by anyone else. We may all share some of the basic human functions and do them … Continue reading Out of the Habit
Strange Sunday!
Work becomes routine. No matter what you do or how you do it, you always develop patterns and procedures that can be repeated time after time. It helps to reduce the amount of energy involved in decisions and details. Pretty much every job I can think of tends towards the routine. Even being a pastor. … Continue reading Strange Sunday!
Over and Out
Some changes we plan. Some come by chance. Some are a mixture of the two. I retired a couple of weeks ago. I had seen this one coming for a while. The date had moved a couple of times, and there were days when I had thought it would have happened sooner than it did. … Continue reading Over and Out
Pathfinders’ Finale
I do not remember a time in my life that I didn’t love hiking. I’ve been hiking now for at least 60 of my 66 years. It has always brought me peace and a sense of connection to the woods, water, wind, and whatever might be coming my way. Hiking is holy ground for me—always … Continue reading Pathfinders’ Finale
Not According to Plan
I’m sitting here in my study. I just got done with a short walk before starting the ‘inside’ portion of my day. I had some oatmeal and an orange this morning for breakfast. I’ve had several cups of good black coffee. None of this was according to plan! None of it! By this point in … Continue reading Not According to Plan
Happy Hike-a-Thoner
Since I was a boy growing up in Gatlinburg I have loved to hike. I’ve have hiked all over the Smokies and Tennessee. I have hiked in the rain forests of Alaska, and the volancoes in Hawai’i, in the Olympics and Cascades in Washington, in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, in the Red Rocks … Continue reading Happy Hike-a-Thoner
My Tree
There are times when I feel as if I was born out of time—I should have been a druid! I love trees! In a very intimate way I adore trees. This is not some new thing for me. I have loved trees since I was a child. I grew up in the woods on a … Continue reading My Tree
Face(in a)Book
Much is being said about the media in our world today. Much of it is being said by the media—often pointing fingers at others and their perspectives. Social media especially is a form of decentralized communication that is open to all manner of comments. Some think it has gained too much influence, some think it … Continue reading Face(in a)Book
Speaking Fluid Java
It is National Coffee Day—one of those lesser known holidays that probably come about for the sake of some commercial interest. But I have to say that this one interests me a lot! I really enjoy coffee. There’s a story there. Grab a mug and listen up. My dad was an early riser and he … Continue reading Speaking Fluid Java
Character in the Making 