Essays and reflections on spiritual formation, the church, music, and daily faithfulness — 638 pieces, gathered in one home.
Saint Mark UMC holding its first Taize Service in September of 2013. A Taize service is a Christian service of prayer, with improvisational instrumental music supporting the contin
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Richard Rohr is a great spiritualist and writer that my late friend and dear companion Michael Stewart introduced me to several years ago. As I am exploring middle age, the empty n
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
A former parishioner published an article and sent it to me in gratitude for pastoral care I was able to offer when she and her husband began the journey of having a special needs
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Tomorrow, August 28, is the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. It would be a speech that would change a nation. What a great man and a potent
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Sometimes work is difficult for people of any occupation or place in life. It is true in ministry as well as in any other vocation. Yet there is great blessing in the gift of work.
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I just did an act of kindness for one of my neighbors. I took them some fresh vegetables and included the Acts of Kindness promotional card my church provided for our summer Acts o
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
On Sunday morning, I told of a highlight at Music and Arts Week this past week at Sumatanga. Music and Arts Week is always amazing for our children, youth, and adults who attend. T
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column which was published in The Vestavia Voice on June 26, 2013. It was originally published in the "Faith & Values" Section of The Huntsville Times on May 9, 2008 - S
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This weekend was quite a journey, bringing a taste of so many aspects of one’s life. Friday began with preparing for and attending to the funeral of the elderly mother of a dear me
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Recently, on Memorial Day, I posted a picture of my Uncle Marvin Hamby on Facebook and honored his sacrifice for our country. Unfortunately, I never met him. My mother's brother wa
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
In my journey through mid-life transition, much of my spirituality has been to focus on integrity. I desperately yearn for my inner values and core spirit to be more fully integrat
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Yesterday in worship, I shared with a heavy heart about the upcoming protest that has been announced for this Saturday by the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, Kansas on the cam
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Since the very beginnings of the Christian church, artistry has evolved to tell the story and celebrate the faith. Second only to the preached word (but more prominently in history
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
My friend Lonna Lynn Higgs is a pastor and chaplain for the United Methodist Children's Home in Alabama. She shared this beautiful prayer in her email "Lines from Lonna Lynn," and
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Here is another hymn of Charles Wesley from his collection "Hymns for Our Lord's Resurrection." I find that so many of his hymns (particularly those that are not in modern hymnals)
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
In my Methodist hymnal collection, I have a facsimile reprint of "Hymns for Our Lord's Resurrection," one of a number of thematic hymn books of published by Charles Wesley in his l
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
A friend and church member wrote this poem after hearing a famous sermon on the subject years ago. I asked if I could share it on my blog. Here it is, with his permission, on this
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
We enter the holiest week of the year with great anticipation. The cross and resurrection are not just object lessons leading us to a correct doctrinal explanation of how we are sa
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I ran across a quote from spiritualist Thomas Green as I was preparing for my Companions in Christ class. It resonates with my soul. It happens that I am in the midst of preaching
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I recently enjoyed our church's annual retreat to Sumatanga. It's holy ground in North Alabama, one of those places Celtic Christians might call "thin places." Sometimes it's a spi
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Now that we have entered the season of Lent, this is a good time to reflect on the meaning of “the color purple,” as well as other colors that greet us when we worship. The colors
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
There is more than one way to interpret the importance of the Adam and Eve story in understanding our human condition and our need for God's grace. After years of pastoral experien
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Peter was born as Simon. When Jesus affirmed Simon and renamed him Peter, a name resembling PETROS, the Greek word for rock, he said “on this rock I will build my church.” It is as
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
A few years ago, I wrote a meditation on Ruby Falls after visiting the site near Chattanooga. I explored the way Christ's light illuminates the inner caverns of the soul, making da
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
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