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Musings of a Musical Preacher

Essays and reflections on spiritual formation, the church, music, and daily faithfulness — 638 pieces, gathered in one home.

August 23, 2026

Simple Holy Moments

I’m honored. My article about one of the most profound “holy moments” of my life will be included.

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

August 12, 2026

Podcast on Jacob Wrestling the Angel

Did you know that the famous hymn writer, Isaac Watts, said of Charles Wesley's hymn, "Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown," some amazing words? He said, “that single poem, Wrestling Jac

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

August 1, 2026

Living Stones CD Now Streaming!

My “Living Stones” CD is now available on all major platforms! Please do me a favor, friends. You don’t have to buy it. But if you take a few minutes to have a listen to samples on

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

July 12, 2026

Rewriting History

The truth shall set us free. Trying to rewrite history doesn't take the truth of January 6 away, and the white supremacy that was associated with it. This judge is right in warning

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

July 1, 2026

Open Letter to Timothy Tennent

Recently, a former president of Asbury seminary, Timothy Tennent, wrote a blog post disparaging the United Methodist Church after his school did not pass the accreditation process

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

June 4, 2026

Ordinary Time

“And let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 In my faith tradition, we just entered a season called “

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

May 9, 2026

Is the Civil Rights Era Over?

I was born in Alabama 4 weeks, to the day, after the March on Montgomery arrived at our capital steps. After Obama was elected president, I went to visit those steps. They were the

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

April 27, 2026

Chaplain at Fair Haven

I love being at Fair Haven, though they are way too gracious about me in this video :-).

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

April 23, 2026

Academy for Spiritual Formation

Hello friends! I’m thrilled to serve on the team of a 4 Day Academy at Camp Sumatanga planned for this Fall! I wanted to get the word out. I think some of you might be interested.

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

April 6, 2026

Easter Message from President Trump

I am making public this letter I sent to Senators Britt and Tuberville and my Congressman Gary Palmer. Lives are at stake, my friends, as are international relations. The stakes ar

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

March 17, 2026

NO MORE TRUMP WAR

I stand up and speak once again. Lives are at stake. This is not a partisan statement. I’m not a partisan person. It’s a matter of the present administration defying all the gray a

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

March 1, 2026

Protesting the War in Iran

Once again, I find myself writing my senators and congressman. This is addressed to Katie Britt, and I will send a similar one to Tommy Tuberville and Gary Palmer. I am making this

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

February 21, 2026

Six Years Ago Today

Six years ago today, the schismatic leadership among North Alabama Methodists released a signed, ten page rebuttal against my letter, “Why I Am Not Leaving the UMC.” My letter had

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

February 20, 2026

Taking an Active Stance in Society

In the past few months, I have spoken out against the dangerous mentality of “Christian nationalism,” violence toward immigrants and the lawlessness of ICE, racism in political rhe

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

February 9, 2026

The Only Thing More Powerful than Hate

“The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love." I watched the Bad Bunny halftime show and afterward read what the Spanish translated into. I sincerely think it was beauti

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

January 31, 2026

Is Our Country in a Dark Night of the Soul?

I was looking back over some of my writings from over the years. I found this column I wrote for the United Methodist Reporter in 2012. You can find my column HERE. The last dozen

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

January 27, 2026

Condemning Actions of ICE

I am making this a public letter. It’s too important not to speak out. Dear Senator/Representative, I write to you today as a constituent and a person of faith deeply concerned abo

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

January 19, 2026

NATO Unity Protection Act

I sent this letter to my senators and congressman. I am making it a public letter because this is too important not to. If you are against invading and taking over Greenland, and i

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

January 11, 2026

International Law

I don’t think of myself as partisan but as a Christian ethicist. I don’t think one party is wrong or that the other party is right about everything. Some issues are too complex fo

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

January 10, 2026

Unity and Inclusivity

"Only love is trustworthy; only love is credible," said the pope. "While unity attracts, division scatters." Amen. This is why I chose to remain in the United Methodist Church. htt

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

December 24, 2025

Carol Service - Birmingham-Southern College Alumni Choir

In case you missed it, here’s a link to the Carol Service this year, featuring the Birmingham-Southern College Alumni Choir. It was televised on APT. It is my joy to sing with this

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

December 3, 2025

Open Letter

I’m sending this to those who represent me as well as sharing this with you as an open letter. - Dear Senator/Congressman, I am writing to express my dismay regarding the military

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

November 10, 2025

Dear Phobic Christians …

(Reflecting on a post by John Pavlovitz reposted below) It’s amazing how people can be so obsessed over culture war issues that the gospels never even mention … except of course Je

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

October 9, 2025

Thoughts from 2 Timothy Chapter 1

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher

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