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Blood and Ashes

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This week’s post reflects on Leviticus chapters 1 – 15. ~~~ When we lived in the country Lisa and I would take evening walks down a narrow, winding lane we called Christmas Tree Road. That wasn’t what the county called it, but at the halfway point there was a Christmas tree farm. Hence the nickname. In November, when the farmer trimmed the trees to prepare them for the December sale, the air around the road smelled of white pine, blue spruce and cedar. That clean, Christian scent lingered on our clothes until we got back home. Even as I write … Read more…

It Was My Sin That Held Him There

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Author Carson McCullers was born in Columbus, Georgia, and lived a terribly unhappy childhood.  When she graduated from high school at 17, she left.  Years later, when she was preparing for a rare visit, her cousin asked why she was going back to a place which caused her so much pain.  McCullers answered, “I must occasionally go home to renew my sense of horror.” Communion, the Lord’s Supper, Eucharist – whichever term you prefer — is a Christian’s way of going back.  And we do it for the same reason McCullers did; we need to renew our sense of horror.  We … Read more…

Where Differences Go To Die

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On Sunday morning when you go to church you are likely to be surrounded by people who are not like you.  They are not your age or gender or race.  They’re not from the same part of the country.  They talk funny.  They don’t eat grits.  Or do.  They don’t live like you live.  They’re obsessively clean or carelessly messy.  They’re always late.  Or early.  They shop at Saks.  Or The Salvation Army thrift store.  They drive a status symbol, the kind with a coveted badge on the hood.  Or they ride the bus.  Or walk. They don’t think like you think. … Read more…