The Opposite of Love
"Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things,...
Together Again
There seems to be a cottage industry that has developed in America all surrounding the notion that modern life is lonely. It seems this sense of loneliness flows from the notion that we are to be "self sufficient" and not "need" anybody to help us. Of course, there is...
A Little Help From My Friends
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?" So asks our Lord in Matthew 5:13. Jesus has just given us the gift of the Beatitudes. You know, "Blessed are the poor..." This list of those who are blessed...
As Close as Breath!
I'm writing today from the beautiful 200 acres of the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, SC, USA. Our Metropolis of Atlanta begins 5 weeks of summer camp ministry to our youth starting today. As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, being with these teens makes it all the more clear...
I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means
You remember the story of the Tower of Babel in the First Testament. If not, refresh your memory by reading about the ambitions of humanity in Genesis 11:1-9. Suffice it to say that a unity of purpose is only as good as the motivation of that purpose! Sunday is the...
Say YES
I remember a time when I had to extend the power of attorney to someone to help me deal with a challenge in another state. The whole purpose of the power of attorney was so this person could act as me in the circumstance to achieve the desired goal....
LOVE Story
At the risk of really dating myself with this movie reference, I remember the movie "Love Story" and the famous line from the film "love means never having to say you're sorry." Hey, it was the early 70's and we were just coming out of the tumultuous 60's. We...
All You Need
In a recent article of the national newspaper USA Today, the paper reports that, since 1970, marriages in the US continue to decline. The article goes on to suggest many factors for this demographic shift away from marriage and more towards cohabitation ranging from an increase in secular attitudes...
Stay Connected!
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5ff) This declaration of our Lord Jesus in today's Gospel lesson invites us to take seriously our...
O, My Papa
Today, on this Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council and the American remembrance of Father's Day, contemplate the word "father." It is no mere title. It is a confession. Today, consider the word "father."