Musings and More!
Why I Am Opposed to Snow
Snow is bad. No good. Downright evil.
I used to like snow. When I was a kid.
We had huge snowfalls. Ten, twelve feet at a time. Perfect for making igloos and snow forts stocked with snowballs dunked in water and left to freeze. Snow was for jumping on your Flexible Flyer [READ MORE]
The Spark in You
One of the theologians I really appreciate is the late Gabe Fackre a professor at Andover-Newton Theological Seminary. Dr. Fackre wrote a book called “Christian Basics” in which he very creatively described some of the deepest spiritual goings-on in our lives. One of my favorites is his account of the [READ MORE]
Now that Christmas is Over
The opening lines of Howard Thurman’s famous Christmas poem beautifully describe where we need to find ourselves now that Christmas is over:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the Kings and Princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with [READ MORE]
Flight Delays, New Years and Living into the Moment
One to three inches of snow is not much of a problem for us native New Englanders but when some of those one to three inches of snow turn out to be ice all bets are off. Turns out the Southwest flight returning us home after Christmas was going to be [READ MORE]
A Favorite Christmas Musing – The Virgin Birth
A friend tells me about the problem he has when he attends his Presbyterian church. When they recite the Apostles’ Creed during the service he finds himself in the awkward position of having to just mumble when he gets to certain parts he doesn’t agree with.
“I believe in God the [READ MORE]
A Favorite Christmas Musing – Room in the Manger for You!
A couple who spent some time serving as missionaries in one of the former Soviet republics tell this story:
They were caring for children in an orphanage and, like anyone who has been involved in ministry with such kids, were simply overwhelmed by the tragedy of so many children who’d been [READ MORE]
A Favorite Christmas Musing – Puking Angels and Farting Sheep
Greendale Peoples Church in Worcester, MA is famous for its wonderful Christmas pageants. “Angels Among Us” makes use of young and old alike taking the roles of angels, prophets, shepherds, magi, Mary, and Joseph as well as a large cast called “the people of the world” who process to [READ MORE]
A Favorite Christmas Musing – Babies Do Not Know Sin
Do you know that babies do not know sin?
A number of years ago, my colleague co-pastor and I divided up the list of families we knew who were going through hard times and needed the support of the church. We had some baskets of food, and wrapped presents for the [READ MORE]
A Favorite Christmas Musing – Swaddling Cloths
It was just about midnight on Christmas Eve and everyone was commenting on what a beautiful service it had been – with joyful Christmas carols, the telling of the Christmas story, a wonderful message preached, and the glorious service of candle lighting and the singing of “Silent Night.”
Everyone was happy.
Everyone [READ MORE]
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Churches I’ve Served
Holy Trinity United Methodist Church
Danvers, MA – 1971-74
First Congregational Church (Oldtown)
North Attleboro, MA – 1974-89
Greendale Peoples Church
Worcester, MA – 1989-1996
Tellico Village Community Church
Loudon, TN – 1996-2014