So…
The difference between the two is the first letter. I notice it in these contentious times … so many opinions, so very little agreement. Someone will say, “So, you believe…” and they will lay out their understanding of what they think I believe. With that, I’m on the defensive. Change the first letter and it’s…
Leaders
There is a story of Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin, a champion of the working class during the French Revolution. He sat in a cafe as a crowd of supporters marched by. His words: “There go my people! I must find out where they are going so I can lead them!” The people of the church are…
Longing
I am brought low by the events of each day, confounded by each news account. I struggle to keep my own demons at bay. What does God expect of me? Another letter to a senator? Signatures on a petition? What am I to do? I recollect words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery: “If you want to…
Cross
What he told me went something like this: “For a long time I was understanding it all wrong, about when Jesus said, ‘Take up your cross and follow me.’ I had it that Jesus was carrying his cross to Calvary and there was all these other crosses set out, and I was supposed to take…
Freddy
My sons’ pleadings were relentless. I was adamant. Just because every other boy in grade school watches Freddy Krueger’s Nightmare on Elm Street every weekend, not my sons. But they wore me down. I said “OK” but we would watch together. I made popcorn, put the tape in the machine and, with remote in hand,…
Reflection
As I venture into the world to minister to prisoners and homeless men, I am frequently ministering to men who are not all that lovable. They have their own beliefs and opinions. I dispense the alms … they receive the alms … why can they not see the world as I see it? Alas, I…
Buddy
A young man, I landed a job in a big machine shop. I swept, cleaned and did odd jobs. An old machinist named Buddy befriended me. He worked at a steady pace but always had a few minutes to talk. Buddy sometimes let me run his lathe and no one said a word. Buddy had some…
Oranges
I’m the greeter at the Food Pantry. I stand at the entryway and welcome each person. There’s always a line. Even children wait patiently. I bought a few bags of small, sweet oranges, took up my position at the door and, as each child came in, I gave them an orange. It is a small…
Goldberg Variations
I heard Bach’s Goldberg Variations on the radio, then received the recordings as a gift: Glenn Gould’s “A State of Wonder – The Complete Goldberg Variations.” Gould (1932-1982) was a celebrated classical pianists and best known as an interpreter of Bach’s keyboard works. At age 23, Gould recorded Bach’s Goldberg Variations with dazzling speed and…
Silence
Alone, I find God oddly silent. Adam and Eve “…heard the sound of the LORD God walking the garden at the time of the evening breeze,” and God spoke to them, “Where are you?” God told Moses to say, “I AM has sent me.” And Elijah, hiding in cave, did not hear God in the…
Did You Know? – Deacon Josh
The Rev. Josh Butler is a Vocational Deacon in the Diocese of Ohio.
It is the deacon who ends the service, dismissing the congregation to go out in the community to serve. In his Deacon’s Dismissal, Josh offers reflections to strengthen and inspire us in our call to service.
