Has the Spirit been speaking to you in the course of this pandemic year? Where? How? Through whom or what? The past year has been quiet in some ways, making listening easier as many of us work from home. We…
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3MMM | Episode 16: Engaging Ritual
There are many powerful rituals available for ministers to engage while leading people of faith. In this post, I want to share two stories about engaging ritual. This past weekend I took some of my seminary students to the “Beating…
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Clyde Edgerton: 8 Practices for Writing
This weekend I had many joys at the 29th Annual Southern Festival of Books! On Sunday afternoon, I met renowned and delightful Southern author of ten novels, Clyde Edgerton. He read from his current work and told stories. He even sang…
Read MoreAnatomy of a Schism – Design Ideas
Judging a Book by Its Cover The academic publishing process is deliberate and measured. So I am delighted to finally reach the design stage, and I’m very excited to share some ideas with my publisher, University of Tennessee Press. Below, you’ll find…
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Eastertide II
Practicing Resurrection B Last week I sent off final proofs on some devotions for Upper Room’s Disciplines 2015. My chosen theme for the week following Easter next year is practicing resurrection. I won’t be sharing what I wrote for Upper Room here…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XI
Late Summer Six-Word Stories We’ve just turned the corner from summer to autumn. Before the warm days slip away entirely, I want to share a few late summer six-word stories.* Most are from trips in September. The first three were…
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Remembering Will Campbell: Does Anyone Here NOT Know Amazing Grace? Memorial Service for Will Campbell, Mt. Juliet, TennesseeSaturday, June 22, 2013 Sitting under the words “Love your enemies” I feel my heart swell. They are painted on the walls…
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Practicing Resurrection II This picture is part of a series of six-word stories that capture Wendell Berry’s provocative idea of “practicing resurrection.” In late April the pathway around a lake near my house flooded. The walkway and surrounding fields were…
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Practicing Resurrection I During Ordinary Time this summer, my congregation is taking a point of departure from Wendell Berry and crafting worship around “practicing resurrection.” We are looking to the created world to see what speaks to us of God’s…
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