by Cheri Tabel “What if after you die, God asks you, ‘So, how was heaven?’” —Unknown A couple of weeks ago, as we were leaving the sanctuary at the end of church service, a little boy ran up to me and exclaimed, “I have candy!” His eyes were bright. His hand high in the air … Continue reading
by Joe Greemore This past Father’s Day weekend, our family of five hopped in the car and made a summer drive through sun, rain, and wind back to our home state. There I was to officiate the wedding of dear friends. The venue was gorgeous: a festive gazebo surrounded by a fragrant, colorful rose garden … Continue reading
by Joe Greemore Reading: Psalm 121:1-8 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 He who keeps Israel will … Continue reading
by Jennifer Mills-Knutsen Last week, a troubled man felt that the world had gone so awry that the righteous course of action was the slaughter of 49 LGBTQ people at a nightclub. One year ago this week, another troubled man felt such deep hatred for African Americans that he entered a church during Bible Study … Continue reading
Hi, Practicing Families! Lent begins in a week and a half (really! Ash Wednesday is February 10!) and the editors of Practicing Families want to issue an invitation to all our writers and readers and friends to journey through this season together. We’ve set up a Facebook group – separate from our page, because a … Continue reading
by Tripp Hudgins It astonishes me how comfortably he sits facing outward strapped to my chest as we sing. It is Advent and the music director and I are leading the congregation in an Introit. “Open my heart,” we intone. I am teaching the low voices, Christopher is teaching the middle voices, and the choir … Continue reading
by Horace McMillon I’ve found parenting to be a long journey filled with twists and turns, joys and sorrows and outcomes unknown. I’m blessed to be the father of two – Julia, a sophomore in high school, and Horace, who is now in his final year of middle school. I’m very blessed to have a … Continue reading
by Joanna Harader Scripture: James 1:19-22 (New International Readers’ Version) My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry. Human anger doesn’t produce the holy life God wants. So get rid of everything … Continue reading
by Erika Marksbury Scripture Reading: Psalm 107:1-9 (NRSV) O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from … Continue reading
by Dena Douglas Hobbs Scripture passage: Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes the sun … Continue reading
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