Eyes to See
In October 2013, I went to Blue Lake Campground near Andalusia to complete a project for what I thought would be ordination as a deacon in The UMC. Blue Lake held many fond memories for me. It was a … Read More
Empty Arms and Spiritual Mothering
There are times that I find it necessary to advocate for marginalized and disenfranchised women in various institutions- educational, legal, law enforcement, financial, and medical. I do not believe that it should be necessary for me to advocate for them … Read More
Religious Abuse
My pastor had called on church staff members to share in hour-by-hour prayer yesterday from 7am through the evening’s Vacation Bible School activities in preparation for the evening’s presentation of the Gospel message to the children who were there. I … Read More
Keep Women Under the Thumb Where They Belong…Especially in “Our” Church
This article is a second one I have seen about the firing of Dr. Paige Patterson, former head of two Baptist seminaries and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, for his conduct in regard to suppressing reports of sexual … Read More
Civil War In The Church…….Really?
Civil War In the Church…..Really? Jesus was a Jewish rabbi. What was his entire ministry but a civil war against the way the Jewish faith had been corrupted, had rebelled against God, its leadership having become a colluding partner with … Read More
Coming and Going
This Easter 2018 morning, as some drove to Carillon Beach and back, church parking lots were observed filled to overflowing…including a long line of cars parked along Back Beach Road at one church. Law enforcement officers worked to manage traffic … Read More
Small(est) Blessings……..
Yesterday I attended the funeral of my sister-in-law’s 83 year old mother, Charlene Sheffield Mallard. It was a sweet celebration of a gifted Christian woman. Her lifelong love of art and painting and her ministry to preschool children were especially … Read More
Life Themes
I began journaling in earnest in 1990. In 2005, I was introduced to the world of internet weblogging. As I look back at my entries, I can observe how God has brought me through from “old life” and purpose to … Read More
Not Everything that Sounds Good, Loving, and Biblical Is
The article referenced below on “The Platinum Rule” is interesting, but I don’t find it particularly helpful in light of the current situation within many contexts- churches, workplaces, and communities. For merely superficial, casual associations or when traveling … Read More
500 Year Cycles in Church History Observed
From Dr. Timothy Tennent of Asbury Theological Seminary: An examination of church history reveals that the church has faced a major crisis roughly every 500 years. The first was in connection with the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. and … Read More