Dear Caldwell, Last Sunday, we took a look at Matthew’s account of Jesus calling his first four disciples (4:12-23). They were ordinary fishermen, regular “salt of the earth” folks. Jesus said, simply: “Follow me,” and they did. Soon droves were gathering around Jesus. According to Matthew, Jesus didn’t wait very long at all to pull out …
Dear Caldwell, The language of “call” plays a major role in our faith and our sense of identity. At last Tuesday night’s session meeting, the elders had the blessing of hearing our elders-elect describe their sense of call to be officers at Caldwell in this point in their lives and the life of the church. …
Dear Caldwell, Our brother Troy Bowles is in the hospital and has received several visitors from the church, both white and African-American. A nurse asked Troy’s supporter and friend Brenda Campbell who she was and, without flinching, Brenda said she was “Troy’s sister.” While making hospital visits, I wear a hospital-issued badge that identifies …
Dear Caldwell, As we go about our lives from Sunday to Sunday this week, I am wondering what you think about the “prologue”of John’s Gospel, specifically 1:1-18, which we dug into on Sunday. We looked at verses 1-5 and how they relate to our move from Christmas, when we celebrate Christ’s birth, to Epiphany, which …
Dear Caldwell, I admit I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions. In years past, I might have made a few, but they no longer interest me. This is not to say that making resolutions as a new year dawns is wrong – they work for many people as a way to focus on new …
Dear Caldwell, “O Come, Let us Adore Him, Christ the Lord!” Those are among the sung words of the famous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service, held every Christmas Eve in the Chapel of King’s College in Cambridge, England and repeated in churches large and small around the world. That live service is wrapping …
Dear Caldwell, I have been blessed by those who have said they have taken the idea of an “unadorned Advent” to heart. Some of you have said you are rethinking your Christmas choices. Others have said they realize now how “adorned” their lives really are – with comforts and luxuries that so many in our …
Sunday to Sunday: Remaining Tranquil While Waiting? Read More »
Yesterday’s Pain Some of us walk into Advent tethered to our unresolved yesterdays the pain still stabbing the hurt still throbbing. It’s not that we don’t know better; it’s just that we can’t stand up anymore by ourselves, On the way to Bethlehem, will you give us a hand? – Ann Weems Dear Caldwell, As we …
Dear Caldwell, Greetings from Koinonia Farm in southern Georgia. I’m blessed to be here this week with a 7-member team of disciples workingand learning about living in an intentional Christian community. This is an historic place, as many of you know, where a Christian named Clarence Jordan launched an experiment in living together as the …
Dear Caldwell, On Sunday, we considered the question, “Who was and is Jesus?” as we worshipped on Reign of Christ Sunday. This coming Sunday, we light the first candle on the Advent wreath and we begin a new church year, a new chance to deepen our understanding of what God was and is up to …
