(borrowed picture of this kid doing the butterfly– his form is better than mine no doubt… read on)   “COME ON BRIAN,” Dillon the lifeguard joyfully yelled, “200 METERS BUTTERFLY!” “That’s what I need,” I thought, “A coach.” 200 meters would be four laps, not impossible except it feels like it in the fly. So…

The preparation for this year’s Camino and Sabbatical has been layered. I’ve  needed to line up speakers for preaching and pastoral care.  I’ve needed to collect supplies — my boots, backpack, clothing needed for this hike.  I’ve needed to plan the stages I will be hiking — still in process.  I’ve needed to do training…

 In many ways I grew up in London.  Not literally.  The first time I went I was 19, had just met Jesus in such a transformative way that He seemed real and was in college there.  But in other ways I did my first growing up there, met my English family who have all been…

I was sitting in the sanctuary at St Mark UMC, and was surprised at how clearly I remembered what it had looked like. It had been about 30 years since I had been in that sanctuary, and now I was back as the preacher for a weekend retreat. I have pictured the sanctuary exactly as…

I arrived at the Achon Auction for the Achon Ugandan Children’s Fund and felt depleted like I did not want to be there, nor did not want to try to talk with anyone. I’d been invited and agreed to come in support of the mission of AUCF and our dear friends.   But it had…

When I flew to Santa Barbara the first weekend in October 2015 to preach at a Prayer and Healing Retreat held at St. Mark UMC, I thought I was just going to preach. Certainly I was going to be back at the church who sponsored and prayed for Karen and I, as I entered ordained…

Following. What I want most is to just follow. I was in Santa Barbara for the first weekend of October.  I will write another post about the whole experience.  But one thing will stand out.  On Sunday morning, I was to preach to this congregation at St. Mark UMC who had really sponsored and supported…