I’m a little stunned by this… When I was testing out possible book cover designs last fall, I never dreamed that University of Tennessee Press would take my suggestions outright. But I’m so completely delighted that this will be my book…
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Epiphany | Martha Stearns Marshall Month
Martha Stearns Marshall Month* Six Stages of Why You Should Invite a Woman to Preach Why should you invite a woman to preach in your church during Martha Stearns Marshall Month, this February? Well, it depends on where your church is along…
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Advent | Week 1
HOPE For Advent this year I’m taking up the invitation from the Anglican Communion to pray through the season with an #AdventWord each day and an accompanying photo or video. This post is the summary of Week 1 of Advent. Hoping…. #WAKEUP…
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Ordinary Time – Praying for Faith Leaders
For everyone who needs to preach and pray publicly this weekend – from any faith perspective – and especially Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders, I’m praying with and for you and the tensions you hold as you … … speak…
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Wednesday Words for Writers ~ B
Blocks What usually comes to mind when you think of “writer’s block”? Is it the blank page or flashing cursor on the screen? The stories and words that won’t be fully formed in your mind? Or is it that elusive idea that…
Read MoreOrdinary Time #KellyOnMyMind
Praying for Kelly Gissendaner … and putting the prayers into action The following six messages can be tweeted out in succession – each already has links and hashtags to advocate for Kelly’s life. How can you help commute the death sentence of…
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Wednesday Words for Writers ~ A
ASK Writing is often a solitary enterprise. Yet all kinds of connections are needed for writing to begin, to improve, to be published, and of course to be read. In the early stages of writing one of the best things a writer can do…
Read MoreOrdinary Time – An Evening of Prayer and Worship for Unity
Last night pastors, congregations, professors and students gathered from all around Nashville, Tennessee, to remember the nine men and women who were brutally murdered in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17 at Mother Emmanuel AME Church. We met at Woodmont Baptist…
Read MoreOrdinary Time – Oatmeal Chewies
I’ve posted this recipe before, but when I need a good and delicious treat – which is also chocked full of healthy ingredients, I pull this one out. Love the oatmeal chewies and I’m taking them with me to a…
Read MoreEastertide – Reflecting on the Alliance of Baptists
Reflecting on the Alliance of Baptists The Alliance of Baptists met in mid April in Atlanta, Georgia. We were hosted kindly by the good folks of Northside Drive Baptist Church. Here are some reflections on my time at the annual gathering…
Read MoreLent IV – March Forth 1965-2015
Today’s date inspired a nested poem this morning.* As the Department of Justice Report on the Ferguson police department comes out this week, two executions are postponed in Georgia for Kelly Gissendaner and Brian Terrell, and the fiftieth anniversary…
Read MoreLent III – Wake Up #KellyOnMyMind
BREAKING NEWS: 2:40pm March 3, 2015 Executions POSTPONEDwith an “abundance of caution.” #KellyGissendaner & Brian Terrell! Awesome! #KellyOnMyMind JUST DON’T STOP, Team! Let’s add a new hashtag: #BrianOnMyMind +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Wake up! When I woke up my daughter this morning and kissed…
Read MoreLent II – Black History Month
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander This afternoon I had a long drive from Atlanta to Nashville, and I decided to start a book I’ve been wanting to read . . . by letting my iPad read to me.…
Read MoreLent I – Black History Month
Selma I began this first Sunday in Lent by traveling to Harlem in the heart of New York City. After a week of sleet, snow and ice in Nashville, I was grateful for the sunshine, and even the slushy sidewalks. People…
Read MoreAsh Wednesday – 2015
Gimme All Your Love So tell me what do you want me to do… You want me to lay down and play dead and do backflips for you? Walk in your shoes for a while? Tell me, what’s right? Gimme…
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Scholastica: A Saint for Women Called to Ministry
Women breaking new ground in ministry need a network of peer support. February 10 is the Feast Day of Saint Scholastica, the twin sister of Saint Benedict and founder of the first Benedictine convent for women. These “holy twins” were born…
Read MoreBlack History Month – Rose Marie McCoy
Hidden Talents Black History Month – Day 3 This afternoon I heard on NPR a remembrance of Rose Marie McCoy, who died at age 92 in on January 20. She was “one of the most prolific songwriters you’ve never heard of,” and she…
Read MoreBlack History Month – Maya Angelou
Caged Bird Black History Month – Day 2 In the fall of 2014, I taught a course in World Religions to 25 men in prison. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had as a teacher. It…
Read MoreBlack History Month – Ms. Lauryn Hill
Who’s Lovin’ You? Black History Month – Day 1 At 13 years old Ms. Lauryn Hill took the stage at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NYC. Already her fierce determination shows through when she keeps singing in the face of the…
Read MoreScholastica: A Peer Mentoring Initiative
Scholastica When I was starting out in ministry, I drove four hours every couple of months to meet up with three other women in ministry for connection and support. We laughed and cried together and told each other about our lives, ministries,…
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