#1: (4 minute song) Here and there, I have been listening to this song titled “Abide” to begin my mornings or conclude my evenings. There is something during those early morning and late evening hours that bring about a different kind of quietness, a distinct kind of reflection, a depth to things that seems wordless. From “Abide in me as I abide in you” present in John 15, this song has offered space with a nice tune for abiding with God during those early and late hours.

Tune in here: "Abide" by Carrie Newcomer and Parker J. Palmer

#2: (22 minute sermon) Rev. Dr. Barbra Brown Taylor is an author, academic, and Episcopal priest. In this sermon, she offers a number of stories that are pointed and funny, expansive and challenging. Have you ever met someone who complicated things for you? As strangers continue becoming neighbors, “neighbors whose gift to each other is not our sameness, but our difference,” Dr. Taylor offers an incredible perspective on the spiritual practice of being a guest.

Listen here: "Holy Envy" by Rev. Dr. Barbra Brown Taylor

#3: (8 minute browse) For Christians throughout history, icons served as artistic entryways into the life and stories of the great people of Scripture. For Kelly Latimore, icons have served as a medium for reimagining our communities’ thoughts, prayers, and actions. With icons of modern lives and stories such as Fred Rogers, Gustavo Gutierrez, and Mary Oliver, this gallery of her artwork has been life-giving as I consider the work of Christ all around us today. 

Gallery here: Kelly Latimore Icons

- May 22, 2025

#1: (7 minute read) This story from the Christian Citizen was released on March 31st, the day that serves each year as the Trans Day of Visibility. A sibling of ours within the American Baptist tradition offered this reflection this year about her experience as a trans woman. Profound and honest and encouraging, I am grateful for the gift of her words.

Read here: "This little light of mine" by Madison McClendon

#2: (16 minute sermon) Georgia McKee, a dear friend from Wake Forest Divinity, currently serves as a Pastoral Resident at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Recently, Georgia preached a sermon about belief that speaks to our times today, our hearts today, and our responsibility and opportunity as Christians today. At least, it spoke to me!

Listen here: "What If We Believed?" by Georgia McKee

#1: (7 minute read) This is a blog post from my good friend and colleague in ministry Dr. John Blackshire. Pastor John and I have had endless conversations about his ministry across North Carolina, There's Room (TR). Recently, TR has seen some significant growth in their community. This blog post centering God in the conversation of "big" and "small" church communities has absolutely been a spiritual resource to me. 

Read here: "The big God of small moments" by Dr. John Blackshire

#2: (40 minute sermon) There is a sermon that I listen to somewhat frequently. Offered by Diana Butler Bass, this sermon titled "All the Marys" has been a spiritual resource to me in times I need inspiration, courage, and someone in the Bible to look up to. Despite being quite long, she includes great storytelling and fascinating theological research into a life-giving sermon.

Listen here: "All the Marys" by Diana Butler Bass

#3: (3 minute read) Rachel Held Evans was a Christian blogger, yet her voice meant much more than simply "Christian blogger" to many people, myself included. Though Rachel passed a number of years ago, her family has continued to make her blog posts available to the crowds reading her compassionate words and finding refuge in her truthful and tender voice.  A number of years ago, I read her book Searching for Sunday and it offered me more space than I knew was available to me. I found space in her words to name both my experiences with church as well as my hopes for the church. She wrote on a great number of topics with grace and candor. I continue to find her words to be a blessing in my spiritual life. Below you can read an excerpt from Searching for Sunday as well as access her blog - I would encourage you to take a look at her posts.

Read here: "The Labyrinth" by Rachel Held Evans