in the music of lifelove is the drumthe big bass drum thatresonates in your breast bonethrough every movement of griefthe tremulous tympanic tonesin the symphonies of sadnessthe steadying rhythm duringthe frantic choruses of fearthe hope of the high hatin the gentle jazz of joythe tender tap behindthe waltz of wonderin the music of lifelove is…

The blind man Bartimaeus, who sat begging at the gate,Knew Jesus soon was headed out of town,So he called out in hope that Jesus’ exodus could waitLong enough to shed some sight around. The disciples huffed a bit and told him to sit tight,But Bart kept on with what he had to tellTill he got…

I turned down a job last week. I was surprised, actually. The position was Chef and Kitchen Manager for a local shelter that serves about 650 people a day. I would have had a chance for my careers as minister, chef, and teacher to integrate in a way I have not experienced. I even went…

today I am remindedlife’s a poem andeverything rhymes with thank you Peace,Milton

After reading the Beatitudes and hearing Ginger’s sermon this morning, I’m reminded that “happy” and “blessed” are not synonyms. Blessed are the protesters that fill Egyptian streets,for soon they’ll know whose promise they can trust;blessed are the shelterless who stand in line to eat.and are told to make a meal of a crust. Blessed are…

I’m teaching a documentary studies elective this term and came across this little gem that is definitely worth sharing. Now go hug somebody. Peace,Milton

I was looking through some old books and found a couple of pages of songwriting notes from many years ago. As I read over them, I was taken by this phrase: the syntax of the cynic. I picked up the phrase and here is what I found. watch your language In the grammar of grace,Love…

Early Saturday afternoon, after we had spent the morning unpacking the last of the boxes from our move (last August), Ginger and I slipped out of the house for lunch together at a new Cuban sandwich shop that opened only last Thursday in downtown Durham called Old Havana. I had scouted it out on opening…

I was reading this morning in a small volume of poetry I have had for years called Poems to Live By: In Uncertain Times and found some words worth sharing today. First, from Robert Bly: Things to Think Think in ways you’ve never thought before.If the phone rings, think of it as carrying a messageLarger…

Over the past several weeks, I’ve accumulated some new music — either in actuality or by listening and watching online — so I thought I would pass a few of the gems along since I haven’t done that in awhile. I’ll start with the newest: The Decemberists and “Rise to Me” from their new CD,…