I heard a song recently by Sanctus Real entitled Confidence. I like the song. It’s got good lyrics, an upbeat tempo, and a singable melody. There are some parts of it that give me pause, however. The refrain refers to Daniel’s faith, Moses’ hope, and David’s heart, and the...
Difficult Times Produce Amazing Qualities
The House upon the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27)
(Click here to read the passage) I had the joy of visiting the coast of Maine recently. The fall colors were in their early stages, and awe-inspiring views were plentiful. One of the more intriguing places I visited is the Nubble, a large rock island just off York Beach. ...
The More You Look, the More You See
This morning, before dawn was offering its tell-tale hints along the eastern horizon, I stood on my front porch and looked at the sky. As always, I found joy in looking at the stars. This morning, there was a sliver of moon high up, and it made the stars...
It’s Music to My…
Music. It’s there. In the background of my thoughts. Whispering or sung aloud, sometimes it comes out clear and strong or just as a hum. It forms and reflects my inner life even more than my other conscious activities. I can’t help it. I’ve been like this since I...
Vax or No Vax: My Confession
I’m going public. I’m vaccinated. I got vaccinated very early in the process, when there were still lines of folks waiting for it and qualifications to get it. Why did I do this? I’m a Christian leader. I am constantly called to directly interact with people closely whom I...
“Labor” Day
When I was young, I always wondered about the day we US folks celebrate as Labor Day. Why do we call it Labor Day, when we don’t work? Where I grew up, it was a big thing – parades, picnics, and a general celebratory sense were part of the...
Hard Times? God’s Joyful Command
I woke up a bit overwhelmed and sad this morning. The mess in Afghanistan, the earthquake in Haiti, and the hurricane hitting New Orleans (again!) all weighed on my spirit. Some of it is terrible! Other things in my life have been simply disappointing. But what do we do...
Politics for Keeps (Daniel 6)
(Click here to read the passage) With everything being turned into some sort of political issue, I think most of us are tired of politics. Polarization is draining at least, and destroys entire cultures at it’s worst. So, when I started preaching a series of sermons on the book...
Even If…
Prayer is a very personal practice. Most folks I know would never pray in public unless they were reciting something they know by heart, like The Lord’s Prayer. And then they would only do that in a group. Our personal prayer lives are appropriately considered private territory. So, I’m...
Welcome to Sun-Washed Mornings!
This is a website dedicated to sharing hope and joy. May you be blessed by what you find here.