Waiting Tables, Nepsis, and Diaconia

A few days ago, I wrote about how much we are like the toy monkey with the cymbals: our buttons get pushed and we start to clang.  It's as if everything were pre-programmed.  Psychologists have found that this isn't far from the case.  My favorite … [Continue reading]

Day Forty – Christmas is for Church

Even if Professor William Tighe is correct and the Church was re-appropriating the date from the pagans (possible, but there were competing claims), the broader evangelical point made below remains valid.  It even gains additional urgency: the Church … [Continue reading]

Day Thirty-nine – Comfort

The most iconic image of the comfort is found in Psalm 22/23:  "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."  Those words bring to mind all the warm fuzzies of a mother's hug and all the calm of a father's protection.  Psalm 22/23 is like the greatest … [Continue reading]

Day Thirty-eight – Never

2 Timothy 3: 3-9 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, … [Continue reading]

Teaching the Divine Liturgy – Meditations

  Here are my notes from the teaching Divine Liturgy served on 22 December 2013 Prologue:  Please meet the love of my life…I was nervous the entire week leading up this “Teaching Liturgy.”  It was hard to figure out why.  After all, I’ve been … [Continue reading]

Day Thirty-seven – Candy Canes

I don't know if I've ever eaten a candy cane.  I tried one once, and it was way too sweet.  We have about a dozen of them in the house.  We use them for tree ornaments.  They are like family heirlooms; I'm pretty sure I got them from my mom.  She … [Continue reading]

Day Thirty-six – Hats

I was born and raised in Georgia.  Growing up there, just about everyone wore baseball caps.  It makes sense - they are really useful.   They are the best hair-style, bar none.  Why mess with your hair when you can just put a hat on and go?  I … [Continue reading]

Day Thirty-five – Strange Christmas Traditions from around the World

Today I got to pick up my oldest son, Nick from the airport.  He's an amazing young man; has a sound spiritual life, loves God, has a really strong allegorical mind, and is getting things done as a first year at the Air Force Academy.  I love to read … [Continue reading]

Day Thirty-four – Log Cabins

Have you ever heard of "thin places"?   The idea is that there are places where the barrier between our world and another are so thin as to allow us to sense its presense.  Mythology is full of stories about "normal people' finding adventure (and … [Continue reading]

Day Thirty-three – Nog, Glog & Grog

Nog, Glog, and Grog are awesome words.  They sound like the names Tolkien would haven given to a trio of orcs or each of the heads of a three-headed giant.   Speaking of which, have you heard of an ettin?  What's neat about this kind of giant is … [Continue reading]