The European Starling is a small to medium-sized bird without any particularly interesting or inspiring features. It, in fact, is most frequently referred to as the Common Starling. But, when these Common Starlings join together in flocks, numbering in the millions, something magically beautiful transpires. The flocks, known also as murmurations, fly together in tight formation, … [Read more...]
Changing the Face of Church Volunteers
Visit most churches on any given Sunday, and you will most likely hear one universal refrain. No, it isn't the Lord's Prayer, nor the Apostle's Creed. It's the appeal for volunteers. Whether it's in the church office, toddler nursery, Sunday School rooms, children's church, custodial work, hospitality center, outreach team or potluck committee, it seems churches are always needing and … [Read more...]
Finding my Fit
Jesus instructs, He informs, He implores: “You are not of this world” and although my heart attunes itself away from this world and upward to heaven, my soul still strives to fit in, strains to find its niche and struggles to flourish upon this earth. One might describe this life - my travels, my journey, my pilgrimage – as one of fits and starts, missed turns and dead-ends, roundabouts … [Read more...]
Master of the Door
"No you're not! NO YOU'RE NOT!! KIA - NO YOU'RE NOT!!!" By the time Josiah's final "no you're not" reached epic volume levels, I knew it was time to check on my two five year old boys who had been tucked into bed for the night. I found each of them on their beds. Kia, with a sly smirk on his face, kept mumbling into his pillow - not loud enough for me to understand, but clearly … [Read more...]
Moving forward…again
They say old habits are hard to break. That may well be true in some cases, but not all. It's been a solid week since I last posted on my blog, despite having developed (up until now) a regular habit of posting daily. There are, of course, good excuses such as a blizzard and the resulting crazy 1200+ mile drive last weekend, and an inspirational week spent learning dynamic … [Read more...]