Blog Archives

There is no them, only us

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Brandon Hudson — No Comments ↓

As a pastor, even in the free-church, priesthood of believers, Baptist tradition, I feel a need to respond and minister in a profound way when tragedy strikes. If I’m being honest, part of that tug comes from my understanding of…

Tagged with: bombings, Boston, peace, prayer, Tragedy, violence, west
Posted in Grief, Ministry, Religion, Social Issues, Theology

On broken hearts and crazy love

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Susan Rogers — No Comments ↓

There are never any words sufficient to address the senseless acts of violence that are happening too frequently in our world. Our instinct as human beings is to somehow try and make sense of it all, to find an explanation,…

Tagged with: Boston Bombings, Boston Marathon, love, Tragedy
Posted in Death, Faithful Living, Grief

Medicare, end of life and living our theology

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Gary Cook — 2 Comments ↓

Medicare is consistently a wedge issues for both sides of the political spectrum. The issue becomes even more controversial in the reality that more than 30 percent of the cost of Medicare comes in the last year of life. Unfortunately…

Wisdom of staying put

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Elizabeth Evans Hagan — 10 Comments ↓

If you are like me, you are probably always looking for the next great adventure around the corner. How can I get a better job? What can be changed in my routines to give me more peace? How could I…

Funeral food

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Mark Wingfield — 1 Comment ↓

There are some rules everyone needs to understand about death and funerals. For starters, funerals call for a certain kind of food. There had better be chocolate cake involved, or the family is going to be left to scramble on…

Tagged with: comfort, community, food, Funeral, Grief
Posted in Death, Grief, Humor, Uncategorized

Lessons From Stone Mountain

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Julie Pennington-Russell — 4 Comments ↓

It all started with my teeth. A couple of years ago I was reclining in the chair of my dentist, Dr. Uetsuki, waiting for the nitrous oxide to kick in. “Are you doing anything special for New Year’s?” he asked…

Mourning with those who mourn

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Garin Hill — 1 Comment ↓

Like the rest of the country, I watched the news in shock and disbelief just days ago as unspeakable headlines scrolled along the bottom of the screen: “School shooting in Newtown, CT;” “Gunman attacks elementary school;” “More than 20 feared…

Tagged with: Connecticut, Crying, faith, Grief, grieving, Jesus, Newtown, Shooting
Posted in Faithful Living, Grief, Health & Wholeness, Mental Health, Parenting, Suffering

Blue Christmas

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Peggy Haymes — No Comments ↓

Last year about this time I was preaching for the Blue Christmas service held at a church in a another city. It’s one of those services where the church gives a nod to the fact that not all people are…

Tagged with: a, Advent, Blue Christmas, Christmas, depression, Grief, holidays, light, loss, Spirituality
Posted in Grief, Mental Health, Spiritual Formation, Suffering

When Christmas isn’t the ‘Most Wonderful Time of the Year’

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Barrett Owen — No Comments ↓

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! Only it’s not. Not for everyone. Not when he’s still…

Tagged with: Christmas, hope, Hurt
Posted in Death, Faithful Living, Grief, Health & Wholeness

Amanda died the other day, but her singing continues

Posted on December 11, 2012 by George Bullard — No Comments ↓

Almost four decades ago while I was serving as pastor of an inner city congregation near a Baptist seminary, I would often have seminary students visit to see if they could obtain some ministry experience as a volunteer with our…