Monthly Archives: August 2020

One line.  Not a paragraph.  Not a chapter.  Not a book.  One line.  Tells more than any extended conversation. Some come to mind, many of which are from William Sloane Coffin, who sourced much of my thinking, especially when people … Continue reading →

Online worship this morning declared a hope:  We walk as a light to the world. In particular, the sermon spoke about stumbling blocks. I have no question wherever we go, whomever we meet, what circumstances confront us, the image…no, make … Continue reading →

I read a comment that made sense because of my experiences.  Goes like this, from Tom Ehrich: “Hope always entails suffering.” Had time to ponder that, upon my arrival in Astoria, Oregon.  Got there Sunday night, more than ready to … Continue reading →

Impediments.  Not stranger to any of us…within ours self. To narrate details brings only a smidgeon of value.  Have shared before how one of the youth in my ministry had difficulty piling on top of difficulty.  He chose during a … Continue reading →

Two comments from speeches during the Democratic Convention this week…remain with me.  May they never fade into yesterday. First from Kamala Harris: “There is no vaccine for racism.” Second from Gabrielle Giffords: “I struggle with speech.  But I have not … Continue reading →

Our world.  Our town.  Our family.  Our self.  Our full reality, the good and the bad all wrapped up together.   So hard.  So hard to look and respond.  The question, though, WHAT IS THE LENS THROUGH WHICH WE SEE LIFE … Continue reading →

Next Monday, then Tuesday, then Thursday…the day when as we leave the dock, this will be the sunrise view from Zorba’s boat.  Sunrise in the Northwest.  The Columbia River.  The Metzger Bridge. Where will we fish?  Hey, I’m just along … Continue reading →

Not sure the image, but it came my way.  The primary function of   blog is NOT to focus upon the blogger, his/her world.  Certainly that’s informative.  So when people read a blog they hold a window through which they see … Continue reading →

The old man in me wanted to pull the sheets over my head.  Was 5 or 6 days after the heart surgery and I couldn’t sleep.  Emotionally was holding an empty net.  Trouble didn’t lurk; it seized me.  Had serious … Continue reading →

I know what I was doing tomorrow, August 16.  [Notice the verb structure!] Yep, August 16, 1969. Not my memory, but the incredible caring of a bride and groom from that day.  I was Assistant Pastor [on the staff, my … Continue reading →