On Monday I began to pre-record the worship service for a neighboring church. I set up my camera indoors with daylight not too bright, not too shadowy. I cleared clutter so my background did not distract from the prayers. I adjusted the height, angle and frame of the camera lens. I plugged in my microphone […]
Mighty and merciful God, our hearts are full of gratitude. We are grateful for good health and for recovery from illness. We are grateful to be safe in this moment, right here and right now. We are grateful for food to eat today. Some of us are grateful for work to do and others are […]
Among all the bugs dancing, the very best one was the centipede. Whenever the music started up, he began to boogie. Until one day, the ant asked him, “Charlie, you have over 100 legs, how do you know which one to lift first?” Just then, the music started up, but Charlie hesitated. He looked to […]
The cancer had lingered so long. We had prayed for healing, but the cancer recurred. We prayed for healing. Hospice was called in. We prayed for God to be present and for healing. Family members said these words: I love you and Good-bye. We prayed for healing. And light filled the room, the struggling breath […]
At first the film Gravity seemed too fantastic. I mean when would I be dressed like an astronaut working on a space shuttle like Sandra Bullock’s character Ryan Stone? Then I recognized the spin. You know the one. Weightless without gravity she turns and spins with no direction, no stopping and no grounding. She is frightened, […]
Thich Nhat Hanh visited Copley Square in Boston. Thousands of people came to be in the presence of the great Zen Buddhist monk. They gathered, they sat down, they expectantly waited, and for 25 minutes there was as close to sheer silence as an urban center could be. I love this idea of silence as […]
At worship last Sunday at Worcester Fellowship, an outdoor ministry with folks who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, the pastor welcomed people for a prayer of blessing and a laying on of hands. Her question was whether anyone had an anniversary to celebrate – being free of drugs or alcohol or violence. One […]
“How has your summer been?” she asked. The question on everyone’s lips this week after Labor Day. I told her about the great time I had on a 30-day silent retreat. “Wait, you were silent – for how long?” 30 days. She shook her head with a “better you then me, sister” smile. This happens […]