We recently went on a family car trip to South Carolina. The Suburban was packed full with six kids, our golden retriever, "Teton," many bags of gold fish, juice boxes, peanut M&M's, sub sandwiches, crayons and coloring books, jellybeans galore, book bags, pillows and stuffed animals. When we returned to Nashville
Continue ReadingThe word "courage" comes from the French word "coeur" for heart. To exemplify courage means to see one's heart triumph over fear. Over Easter, I had a tussle with a bat. I have since become on a first name basis with the folks at DHEC. For those of you who are
Continue ReadingI sometimes think of myself as a spiritual magpie, always on the lookout for a bit of inspiration. If you visit my "nest" you will find the words of Jesus, lovely psalms, letters from St. Paul, commentaries from Thomas Merton, Barbara Brown Taylor and C.S. Lewis, even the poetry of Rumi.
Continue ReadingButtermoon Farm, Easter Homily 2017 Reflecting on Easter, it was Jesus's final and most revelatory words from the cross, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit," that especially struck a chord with me this year. To "commend" means to entrust something precious to another's care with great confidence. Harper's Latin Dictionary
Continue ReadingOnce upon a time there was a little boy named Ferlando. He lived on a little island that is known for its sorrow. At first glance, it would appear that this little boy who sings in creole has very little in the world. No mother, no father, no left eye.
Continue Reading"Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of the bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings,
Continue ReadingThere is a very popular game in Nashville called The Escape. You may have seen the bumper stickers around town that boast, "I Escaped!" A team of eight are locked in a room filled with hidden clues. To win the game your team has to solve the clues and make
Continue ReadingAsk any French chef and they will tell you the “roux” (flour, clarified butter and special seasoning) is the foundation of every classic French recipe. A good roux lends a memorable dish, sauce or soup its depth, intoxicating aroma and velvety richness. A truly inspired chef intuitively knows when his
Continue ReadingIn memory of Dr. Robert Cochran I remember as a child going to McMahon's children's shoe store in downtown Spartanburg to buy my Easter white Buster Browns. The salesman would measure my foot, go to the back room and return with the perfect pair. He would ask me to stand, push
Continue ReadingThere are only two ways to live your life. One as if nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. -Albert Einstein On an auspicious night over two millennium ago, a mysterious star appeared in a Van Gogh night sky catching a magi's attention. Was it a
Continue Reading
