We, the Divided States of America

Love Conquers All… We, the citizens of the United States of America, are a divided nation, and in less than 3 years we will celebrate our 250th birthday. Is it going to take a mega party to bring us all back together? During a recent fire pit gathering, a friend...

My First Holy Grounding

Photo Credit: Cindi Oakley Johnson, Mayodan Moravian Church Today is my home church’s homecoming. I say “home church,” because it’s the church I attended my entire childhood and youth and of which I remain an associate member. It provided the...

#blessed… Really?

Yours truly on Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI, 2019 Look at me in the above photo playing around on one of the world’s most famous beaches! That picture was taken on my first trip to Hawaii in early 2019. This coming December, I’ll be making my sixth trip to...

Can We Please Ditch the Labels?

I loathe labels. Think of all the various labels we’ve placed on people over the years: ADD, ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenic, special needs, disabled… these are just a very minute smattering of tags doctors, educators, and others slap on people to move them...

Desires vs. Needs: What Is God’s Will?

Earlier this week, I finished the 40-day prayer challenge in Mark Batterson’s “Draw the Circle.” This was my third go round with this wonderful book and challenge, and I was bound on this journey with 6 of my dearest friends, whose breakthroughs I...

Abiding in the Vine: Three Questions to Ponder

I don’t do much yard work these days, but occasionally, I love getting out and digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, pruning bushes, and spreading mulch. It’s therapeutic! Sometimes, my ivy spreads too far, and, and I have to rip it from what I call the...

Let Us Break Bread and More Together!

On Holy Thursday this year, my church’s choir sang one of my most beloved hymns, that African-American spiritual “Let Us Break Bread Together on Our Knees.” Oh, how I love that song! And when I am at mass, literally on my knees with my fellow...