Black History Month invites us to do more than remember; it invites us to reckon. I've been sitting with that conviction in a preaching cohort led by Duke's Dr. Luke Powery, whose work on the Holy Spirit and human dignity has sharpened the way I think about language and race. In his book Becoming Human, … Continue reading Verbs, Not Nouns: An Invitation
My word for 2026 Tend For the past few weeks, I’ve been sitting with the practice of choosing a word for the year, not as a resolution or a goal, but as a companion, a lens, something to return to when I need grounding. My word for 2026 is tend. It’s a simple word, but … Continue reading Tend
A sermon for Christmas Eve 2025 preached at Edenton Street UMC As I begin tonight, I want to share that some of my thoughts tonight have been inspired by the poet Steve Garnaas-Holmes, whose words about this season have been rattling around in my heart and mind for weeks now. Two phrases in particular are … Continue reading Marry the Mystery
A short story for a quick morning read while you drink your coffee … Every good and trusted go-to coffee mug deserves a good story - so here is mine. One day, my wife and I decided to go and spend a few days in the mountains with very good friends who live near Asheville. … Continue reading The Bear Mug
Preached at Edenton Street United Methodist Church on Christ the King Sunday, November 24, 2024 Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6 / Luke 13:31-35 / Luke 23:33-43 Today is Christ the King Sunday. It is a day to reflect on what it means to say "Jesus Christ is Lord and King." It is a day to explore what … Continue reading Christ the King, Mother Hen
See these pews right up here in the front? Years ago, they might have looked a bit different than these we have today. I didn’t reserve them for a special purpose today, but I thought about it! In the early Methodist revivals, there were no nice, cushioned altar rails to come and kneel for prayer. … Continue reading Dangerous Sermons
A Sermon preached at Edenton Street UMC on November 10, 2024 Isaiah 49:8-13; Matthew 20:29-34 Before I begin, let me say that I have prayed, deliberated, and lost sleep over this day and this service. There is a temptation for preachers in the face of what we might call those “elephant in the room” moments … Continue reading What Do You Want Me to Do For You?
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