A hidden treasure
“Do you have any idea who I am?” The man, a passenger, apoplectic with flushed cheeks, pounding the counter, shouting at the airline agent. Everyone in the departure lounge can hear, and is on edge. (Although, a few take out…
Bridges to build
Two brothers, living on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. In forty years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, providing mutual support and assistance whenever needed, it is their first rift. But it doesn't take much, does it? (“I have…
Tough enough to be soft
In January, near a sign that read, “Prayer only No visit. No phone,” I sat and prayed, in Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.Watching the inferno this past week, my heart hurt. Sometimes we don't have words.I can tell you that I…
Absorbed in moments of grace
In the town of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, there is a church named Lagniappe ("lan-yap"). It is an old Creole word that means “something extra”. Pastor Jean Larroux explains, "Down here if you go into a seafood shop and order a pound of shrimp and they put in an extra…
This is the life
Many years ago, I am sitting on the bench in front of Bob’s Bakery with my son Zach (Bob’s is our island Saturday morning gathering spot). We’re having Cinnamon Twists. They are decadently yummy, and make me forget my need…
Leave my littleness behind
Stories take care of us. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each other's memories. (Thank you, Barry Lopez.)And yet. There are some days when we replay only stories that encourage…
The Power of Presence
I spent this weekend with 39 thousand of my closest friends, in Anaheim California, at the Religious Education Congress. I have been a speaker there for over 30 years.This year, my topic; Permission to be me in a FOMO (fear…
Letting go and gratitude
An important and hurried and stressed businessman visits a Zen master, seeking guidance. (It seems that these days, to look important, you have to appear hurried and stressed.) The Zen master sits down, invites the businessman to sit, and pours the visitor a cup of tea. But even…
Heavy dose of grace
A woman called her priest. “My Daddy is dying, would you come and pray with my daddy?” She asked.“Yes,” he told her.With the man, the priest noticed a chair pushed tight to the head of the bed.“Has someone been visiting…
Lean in toward the light
“You’re a minister? Well, what do you believe?” Some church people like to ask me. They can’t help themselves.Okay, here you go.God has a heart for those who are left out, forgotten, and excluded.God's grace is bigger than anything which…
