“Sergeant, what is it makes you willing to die.” — Saint-Exupe’ry, Wind, Stand, and Stars. Every now and then one finds a gem. I am reading the above book for one of my book clubs. The book is primarily about the author’s adventures as a pilot, but toward the end he talks about war and…

Read More

“For nothing, in truth, can replace that companion. Old friends cannot be created out of hand. Nothing can match the treasure of common memories, of trials endured together, of quarrels and reconciliations and generous emotions. It is idle, having planted in an acorn in the morning to expect that afternoon to sit in the shade…

Read More

So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; — Luke 11:9. I suspect that this verse has been misinterpreted as much as any. Jesus is not saying that if you ask God for a million bucks, it will arrive on your doorstep. Jesus was encouraging us to start a dialogue…

Read More

This morning as I write, I am listening to Byrd: “Gloria in Excelsis” from Mass for Five Voices. The announcer called it “Balm for the Soul.” It reminded me of a guest preacher at St. Johns who always gave the same sermon called “There is a balm in Gilead,” after the gospel hymn of the…

Read More

We have a soup kitchen a little more than a block away from where we live. They serve lunch and provide fresh groceries twice a week to an ever-growing number of people. Several of my friends volunteer to cook and pass out food. Most of our neighborhood finds ways to support the kitchen. The kitchen…

Read More