Why Conversations Feel Hard Today Even small talk feels risky lately. Mention a coffee shop, a ball game, or a TV show, and it can turn political. Many topics seem to carry hidden tripwires. My Christian faith gives me hope and direction, and I want to share that with others. But I’ve seen how quicklyContinueContinue reading “How to Talk Across Divides: A Lesson from an Ancient Conversation”
Tag Archives: community
Birthdays, Connection, and the Quiet Power of Love
Well, I just turned 61 today, and what a wonderful day it has been! First, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent birthday greetings—calls, texts, posts, messages, emojis, and all the little ways you remembered me. I read every single one with a smile, and it reminded me just how lucky I am toContinueContinue reading “Birthdays, Connection, and the Quiet Power of Love”
A Night of Courage and Faith in Washington, D.C.
Dennis Burk recounts a harrowing night in Washington, D.C., when a shooting shattered the calm outside the home where he and his pastoral interns were staying. Amid chaos, one intern sprang into action. Racing to aid a man shot in the chest, he applied pressure to the wound and prayed for the victim’s life untilContinueContinue reading “A Night of Courage and Faith in Washington, D.C.”
Light in Darkness: Remembering 9/11
Author’s Note: I wrote this before the shocking news of the murder of Charlie Kirk, which reminds me how fragile life is; as we remember 9/11, may we lean into the light that shines through even the darkest days. September 11 returns each year, a solemn weight in our collective memory. Nearly a quarter-century later,ContinueContinue reading “Light in Darkness: Remembering 9/11”
Think You Can’t Sing in Choir? You Absolutely Can!
I remember the first time, as a child, I sat in the pew and heard the choir carry a hymn into the rafters. I didn’t know then that it wasn’t just music—but it felt bigger than anything I’d ever heard before. Years later, I realized what I had experienced was a room full of voicesContinueContinue reading “Think You Can’t Sing in Choir? You Absolutely Can!”