John L. Bell is a Scottish hymn-writer and Church of Scotland minister serving the Iona Community off the western coast of Scotland. I’ve had the opportunity to hear him speak at several conferences and ordered his song collections for Highland, … Continue reading
One of the greatest gifts I have received over this interim has been the relationship I have developed with Debbie, a neighbor who regularly visits the office. Once Joe and Nina left, I became one of her frequent conversationalists. I’ve … Continue reading
From 2019 I carry a profound sense of gratitude for Highland Baptist Church. Diana Butler Bass in her book, Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks, wrote “gratitude is an emotion, a complex set of feelings involving appreciation, humility, wonder, … Continue reading
God of hope, God of peace, free me to breathe slowly and notice where You are appearing, even as I am present to all of the fullness of life right before me. The first Advent devotion of the season included … Continue reading
I believe that the rhythms of our community life here at Highland are more formative and important to me than I may pause to acknowledge during the Advent season. I believe that the things we say and do shape us, … Continue reading
I am so excited to share this precious family photo with you. My daughter crafted this list on her chalkboard when she was in the first grade and just learning to write. It lists everything for which she gives thanks. … Continue reading
Google is so thoughtful and yes, I write these words with just a touch of sarcasm along with a smile. Exactly one year ago, I had the assignment of writing this article for the newsletter. I took the opportunity to … Continue reading
This fall, I have been slowly making my way through Maya Angelou: The Complete Poetry compiled by Random House. Her words comfort, shock, delight, and disrupt. For our life together, I offer the concluding lines of “A Brave and Startling … Continue reading
In her book, Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks, Diana Butler Bass wrote that gratitude “gives us new perspectives on our lives. It stretches through our experiences—past, present, and future—creating a fabric of appreciation and awareness that forms the … Continue reading
As we continue through this season at Highland where Freedom in Generosity is our focus, I find myself reflecting more and more on the quote by Maya Angelou from the front cover of our Commitment card, “I have found that … Continue reading