That’s right: I’m going to start the new year talking about toilet paper. When we moved into our house, we put in this double roll holder (with magazine rack) because it meant there was less chance of running out. It also holds the big double rolls of Quilted Northern (our preferred brand), which we load…

I preached at our church today so Ginger could take her parents back to Birmingham. What follows is the sermon. First, a quick note to say my brother’s surgery appears to have gone well; he is flat on his back in the hospital and not allowed to move until Tuesday, just to make sure. Thanks…

It’s early Saturday morning. Christmas is not even two days gone and already things are changing. Ginger drove out about an hour ago to take her parents back to Birmingham after their two weeks with us. Since the V. A. is going to provide Rachel with some money to pay for some home healthcare, Lola,…

I missed blogging yesterday because I missed everything yesterday. Sunday night late I started throwing up and realized, as the fun continued through the night and into the morning, that food poisoning. Somewhere in the middle of last night, I realized it was over. For the last two days I have done little more than…

I went to college in Waco, Texas where winter was more of an idea than a reality. We had snow – significant snow – two or three times in my four years there, as well as a couple of ice storms. The events were such rarities that school was cancelled even though we all lived…

You know she lived for years, many yearsafter he left – and she moved from Galilee,following those who had pledged to carefor her. Maybe it was easier to not livein the same land where he had parabledand miracled, healed and helped. Afterhe was gone, they still came to townasking to see the house where he…

I wish I could remember how I first heard of Kiva.org. It was probably because someone took time to write or send an email telling me about micro loans and what they can do in developing countries. Kiva began because a couple, Jessica and Matt Flannery, listened to the voices that gathered around them. She…

In the midst of my waiting tonight, I began going through the first lines of songs I love and found this poem. Index of First Lines I pulled into Nazareth was feeling ‘bout half past deadI don’t want to hear a love songdoctor my eyes have seen the years and the slow parade of tearsheadlights…

We were scattered across the sanctuary, twenty-five or so in a room that will hold three hundred, the candles covering the Communion table offering warm light as the day surrendered to the darkness. In front of the altar was a small table with one place setting – plate, glass, coffee cup, napkin, silverware – and…

Over most of my adult life in faith, I’ve been fortunate to go to churches small enough to still take one of the Sundays in Advent for the Christmas Pageant, though the word pageant always brings a smile to my face. I can’t help but wonder which of the magi will win the gown competition…