Last year an NFL player, self-identified as a devout Christian, decided to “take a knee” during the playing of the National Anthem. It was a silent protest on behalf of Black Lives Matter. He is bi-racial and was raised by white parents. I can only assume that matters...

Recently I was listening to an interview of a backpacker who hikes as a "minimalist." I know what you are thinking - this is not about hiking in the buff! Minimalist backpacking - or ultralight as it is more commonly called - is about packing the minimal essentials...

I am very grateful to have this opportunity - a privilege actually - to share a collection of my stories and reflections in my recently published book, "Wanderings: A Pilgrim's Walk on this Good Earth." Parsons Porch is the publisher and there are a few ways you can...

I didn't mean to be a preacher. At least not that young. I had just turned 21; returning from a summer spent in the Philippine Islands serving, as it was called at the time, as a “summer missionary.” Fall semester was about to begin at college and I was one of a...

A friend of mine, no doubt thinking I needed a little more levity in my life, gave me a hula girl doll - the little plastic figurine that, well, bobbles and wiggles on top of the dashboards of respectable automobiles. He was disappointed when the hula girl arrived...

I was in between appointments in an old section of Knoxville and decided to take advantage of my thirty minutes of downtime by wandering around the city. Deep down I felt certain I would eventually stumble across a good coffee shop, bakery, or maybe both! Turning a...

There is so much good to say about the church. Through the years I have published articles, written sermons, and publicly and passionately advocated for churches. Goodness, to be really candid, for the last thirty or so years I have made my living working for...

They came bearing casseroles and cakes, paper plates and folding chairs. The tiny house in front of the dairy barn was filled with folks from all over the surrounding countryside. My grandfather died during the night, quite unexpectedly and word of it passed quickly...

Some years back I had the opportunity to travel to Kathmandu, Nepal to explore some of the mission work going on that country through an ecumenical partnership our church supported. Kathmandu is a wild, exotic city and every turn offered to me something new to see and...

In nearly three decades of marriage we have shared life with a number of animals (besides our children). There was “Bro” the hamster, fondly remembered for his...well, come to think of it, I don’t really remember much about him. When he passed on from this world, my...