Home of the Darkwater Author
So I’ve been having back issues lately. I know when it started. One day in October, I attended a conference, and walked around with my messenger bag on my shoulder all day. When the day ended, my back was not right. It wasn’t agony, but it was annoying, also familiar. I’ve wrenched my back maybe … Continue reading Backs and Burdens
This is one of a series of posts about a trip I took to walk labyrinths in July 2022. See this post to see why I refer to these labyrinths as my "Emmaus labyrinths." Note: the numbering refers not to how many labyrinths I walked on this trip, but to the total number I've blogged … Continue reading Emmaus Labyrinth #54: St. James Presbyterian Church, Enola, PA.
I enjoy walking labyrinths. Labyrinths are maze-like structures that have been used as spiritual tools for centuries. There are many of them around, and I am in the habit of trying to visit a lot of them. For more information about labyrinths, check out The Labyrinth Society. Find where labyrinths are in your area at the … Continue reading Labyrinths #45 & 46: First Presbyterian Church, Goshen, New York & a private home
This is the conclusion of a novella I’ve written. It will be published here one chapter at a time, roughly twice a week. Trigger warning: this story is very dark, and may be triggering for those with suicidal ideation. It’s also not the kind of thing you’d expect your pastor to write. So, fair warning. … Continue reading “The Lepers in Your Head” / Chapter Eleven: The Bridge
This is the tenth chapter of a novella I’ve written. It will be published here one chapter at a time, roughly twice a week. Trigger warning: this story is very dark, and may be triggering for those with suicidal ideation. It’s also not the kind of thing you’d expect your pastor to write. So, fair … Continue reading “The Lepers in Your Head” / Chapter Ten: The Tree
This is the ninth chapter of a novella I’ve written. It will be published here one chapter at a time, roughly twice a week. Trigger warning: this story is very dark, and may be triggering for those with suicidal ideation. It’s also not the kind of thing you’d expect your pastor to write. So, fair … Continue reading “The Lepers in Your Head” / Chapter Nine: The Chase
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning, the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. The gospel reading was Matthew 5:13-20. This was a really gimmicky sermon, so I'm going to write it like a script. I think that's the best way to present it in written format. MICHAEL: So, in today’s gospel…In … Continue reading Letting Your Light Shine (Sermon)
This is an adapted version of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel was Luke 12:32-40. At this service, I officiated at the Holy Baptism of "Austin" (not his real name). Good morning, Austin. I’m so glad you’re here today. Today is a very special day for you. Today, we proclaim God’s love for … Continue reading Get Ready (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel text was Mark 13:1-8. I also referred to the other readings as well, Daniel 12:1-3 and Hebrews 10:11-25. When? When? When, O Lord, are the buildings going to fall? When are the wars you predict to come? When will nation rise … Continue reading The Beginning of the Birth Pangs
This is an adapted version of the sermon I preached this morning, August 5, 2018. The gospel text was John 6:24-35. Did you ever wonder how we’re supposed to behave as a congregation? Luckily, scripture gives us several models for how to do that. In fact, two of those models are in today’s readings. The … Continue reading Fear and Grumbling in Capernaum
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