I had an encounter with someone today that took me somewhat aback ( Read more... )

I was doing a wedding consult the other night for a very nice young couple.  She has a strong church background, him not so much, and as we were going through the service I asked them if they had a problem with the line, "What God has joined together, let no one put asunder."  This is in the Declaration of Marriage, right before they seal their ( Read more... )

A friend of mine had a situation recently where she was going to post something, decided to check it on a well-known fact-checking site, and eventually posted thanks for *not* posting it due to information that she read on the secondary site.  I've often found myself doing that - a friend re-posts something, I go to this site, see that the post is ( Read more... )

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Quebec City, and I could tell you all about it (if you haven't already been bored to death looking at my pictures/videos on Facebook ( Read more... )

We had a "seeker" in one of my congregations this week.  He asked me a couple of questions after the service that made me realize once again that we use a language in the church that many people today don't know and have never heard before.  I found myself writing something for him this morning that others might find interesting to glance at, and ( Read more... )

There seems to be a lot of pressure to respond to the shooting in Orlando on Saturday night.  The Moderator threw something together (a prayer that was more complete than his prose sentiment), and yet someone's eyes seemed to skip over the five letters that are at the heart of this whole affair.  On re-examination, they were there, but the first ( Read more... )

I’m Growing TiredI’m growing tired ( Read more... )

I got a newsletter in my email earlier today, sent by a member of my congregation who is, shall we say, a touch on the conservative side.  There are a few people here who have come down in a rather stark anti-Muslim camp, especially given the recent attacks in Paris and California.  Donald Trump is now saying that America should put a total freeze ( Read more... )

I am currently a purple belt at my karate school.  For those who don't know the rankings, I'm through white (novice), yellow and orange, but still have to get through green, blue, red, brown and then the levels of brown before being graded to black belt.  A small group at my school have actually just been given their white belts again - for the ( Read more... )

A friend of mine (who is of the Roman Catholic persuasion) recently posted an item regarding the RC doctrine of Purgatory.  I read it, then posted a short note to needle her about it, not realizing that I was replying to the entire thread and not just her posting of it!  Below is the comment I made, the interesting and thoughtful reply from someone ( Read more... )