I remember Donald because he used to run across the playground with his arms rotating like the blades of a windmill, because he once tried to flush his leg down the toilet, because he regularly chased little girls around Miss Cherry’s first grade classroom. I remember Donald because of something that happened in 1965. [...]
Archive for November, 2008
Foiled by a Cardboard Santa
Posted in Church, Community, tagged Advent, Christ, Donald, first grade, Leonard, Miss Cherry, Santa, teacher, wait on November 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Fifty Years from Now, Will We Still Be Doing This?
Posted in Church, tagged Church, future on November 28, 2008 | 4 Comments »
On this day after Thanksgiving, I’m reading a book called Quitting Church by Julia Duin, Religion Editor for the Washington Times. Here’s what the book jacket says: Recent studes show that churches across the country are seeing once-faithful members disappear from their midst. Why are so many Christians remaining committed to the faith yet dissatisfied [...]
Thanksgiving Dinner at Dorothy’s House
Posted in Community, Family, Nation, tagged Bloomingrose, Boone County, Comfort Elementary School, Gladeville Presbyterian Church, Thanksgiving, West Virginia on November 26, 2008 | 3 Comments »
Editor’s Note: I shared this story as part of the sermon at last night’s Thanksgiving service. Several people have suggested that I post it here so others could enjoy it. So, here it is, with every good wish for a happy Thanksgiving. –Jim ________________ I lived in Wise County, Virginia, from 1961 to 1966. [...]
Is It You, Again?
Posted in Community, tagged Benedictine, Dakota, hungry, imprisoned, Jesus, Kathleen Norris, lonely, Matthew 25, monk, prime minister, prostitute, Russian Orthodox, shivering, sick, thirsty on November 24, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Yesterday’s sermon from Matthew 25 hinted at the idea that Christ is in every hungry, thirsty, shivering, lonely, sick, or imprisoned person we encounter. It reminded me of a paragraph from Kathleen Norris’s book Dakota that has brought a smile to my face over and over again through the years. Let me share it with [...]
Coffee with Cathy
Posted in Church, Community, tagged coffee, cold, Community Missions, feet, homeless, showers on November 21, 2008 | 1 Comment »
I don’t even know her last name. I only know that when I sat down at a table in Community Missions on Wednesday morning she was there, stirring sugar into a styrofoam cup full of creamy coffee. I watched her take the first sip and saw her face relax into a smile. “That’s good, isn’t [...]
