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Category Archives: Grief
Guns in Churches?
As to guns being our protection: A church looks to God as our ultimate source of protection. As to wearing a gun in church even as we are passing the peace with others in the pews: As a follower of Jesus – as a Christian — I am called to a standard of loving my neighbor – a definition of neighbor that includes even my enemies. It will take my lifetime to meet that standard. If you are a Christian, you join me in that lifetime of work. If we believe – and we legislate – that we can only safely interact with other people if we arm ourselves against them, we will never get even get close to that standard. Continue reading
A pulpit response to Charlottesville …
If I’d had more time between Sunday morning and the horror of Saturday in Charlottesville, I would have said some hints differently. Here is my effort, raw and unedited. You can see my pain on my face. I’m wearing my … Continue reading
When Mother’s Day is difficult for you ….
It is for me. I managed to avoid preaching on Mother’s Day for several years until this year. This link will take you to the video of what I had to say. Maybe the day would be better … Continue reading
Posted in Activism, Children, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grandparents, Grief, gun violence, LGBTQ, Loss of Child, Mothers Day, Pastoral Ministry, Racism, Uncategorized
Tagged Old Stone Church
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Putting one foot in front of the other …
So, happy birthday to me. Not just older, still learning how to be better. At life. And love. And trusting that God still needs me to put one foot in front of the other and make a difference in the world. Continue reading
Posted in Christian, Grandparents, Grief, Reading, Retirement, Uncategorized
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A safe space for all those with heavy hearts …..
Those were the words inviting us to a Prayer Vigil for Orlando at our neighborhood church, South Euclid United Church of Christ. It was a quiet and reflective time to be together in our shock and grief and outrage over … Continue reading
Posted in Activism, Ending Gun Violence, God Before Guns, Grief, gun safety, gun violence, LGBT, LGBTQ, Moms Demand Action, open carry guns, Racism
Tagged #NotOneMore, Activism, Child Access Prevention, Ending gun violence, God Before Guns, Moms Demand Action, Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, Rev. Courtney Clayton-Jenkins, Social justice
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Stolen Years. Part 2
By my own rough estimate, our country lost at least 350 years of life in an hour last Thursday. What their families lost is incalculable. Continue reading
Posted in Activism, Concealed Carry Guns, God Before Guns, Grief, gun safety, gun violence, Loss of Child, Moms Demand Action, open carry guns
Tagged Roseburg
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Stolen Years …
Any one of those young adults could have been my child. Or your child. At what age do they stop being our children?
I’ve had enough. Have you? Continue reading
Were you there?
None of us were there. We only know the ancient story from those who were. If we had been, we would not have kept his death from happening. What I trust is this. God was there. My God. Our God. Our God who knows what it’s like to lose a son. Continue reading
Posted in Activism, Ending Gun Violence, Good Friday, Good News, Gospel, Grief, Lent, Loss of Child, Moms Demand Action, Retirement
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Two Miracles …
Jesus heard the news of his friend, and it affected him. Deeply. The more I think about that, the more connected I feel to him. The closer I feel to God. That brings me comfort, and I hope you feel that too. But there is even more good news. Jesus didn’t stay there. In that lonely place Continue reading
Posted in Christian, Good News, Gospel, Grief, Loss of Child, Uncategorized
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Fragments of the whole …
The following contains excerpts from the sermon I preached Sunday, May 4, 2014. It was my first Sunday back in the pulpit after bereavement leave following the loss of my son. I began with many thank-yous to the staff and … Continue reading
Posted in Christian, Good News, Gospel, Grief, Loss of Child, Uncategorized
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Come as you are ... 