True Sabbath is more than simply taking a day off—it is the gracious invitation to rest without guilt, hurry, or hidden expectations. It is a gift freely given by God, not a reward for having finished every task on our list. With warmth, gentle humour, and pastoral wisdom, this reflection explores the freedom of embracing a genuine Sabbath, reminding us that we are loved not because we are productive, but because we belong to God.
Tag Archives: God's Presence
Tidying up the Ordinary
Tidying up is about more than putting things back where they belong. The simple rhythms of clearing a room, organizing a shelf, or tending to everyday spaces can become quiet acts of gratitude and care. With warmth, gentle humour, and pastoral insight, this reflection explores the holiness hidden in ordinary housekeeping, reminding us that as we bring a little order to our surroundings, God is often gently at work bringing peace and renewal to our hearts as well.
God in the Everyday (and on the Golf Course)
God’s presence is not confined to sanctuaries or sacred seasons—it can be discovered just as readily on a golf course as in a church pew. Fairways, friendships, missed putts, and moments of quiet beauty all become opportunities to notice grace at work. With warmth, gentle humour, and the perspective of both priest and golfer, this reflection explores how ordinary recreation can become a place of gratitude, renewal, and deeper awareness of the God who walks every course alongside us.
Walking in the Company of Christ (and a Few Hobgoblins)
The journey of faith is rarely free from distractions, doubts, or the little “hobgoblins” of fear and self-importance that try to accompany us along the way. Yet Christ walks beside us through it all, offering courage, humour, and steadfast companionship. With warmth, gentle wit, and the wisdom of pilgrimage, this reflection explores the grace of travelling in the company of Christ, discovering that even our imaginary hobgoblins lose much of their power when we keep our eyes fixed on the One who faithfully leads us onward.
Home Again, Home Again… Even on Vacation
Coming home after a pilgrimage is a joyful reunion with familiar places and familiar people, yet it also reveals that home itself is never quite the same. The journey has quietly changed the way we see, appreciate, and inhabit our everyday lives. With warmth, gentle humour, and a grateful heart, this reflection explores the blessing of returning home, reminding us that the greatest gift of pilgrimage is learning to recognize God’s presence just as clearly in the ordinary rhythms of home as on the roads we have travelled.
I’m Not Dead Yet: Notes on Scams, Saints, and Silly Letters
When an absurd scam letter accidentally becomes the occasion for laughter, perspective, and gratitude, it reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. With wit, self-deprecating humour, and a pastoral eye for grace, this reflection explores how even the silliest interruptions can become opportunities to celebrate life, cultivate joy, and give thanks for the ordinary gift of simply being alive.
Beloved: A Scriptural Reflection for Our LGBTQIA2S+ Siblings
Every person is created in the image of God and is deeply, unconditionally loved by the One who calls each of us “beloved.” Drawing upon the witness of Scripture, this reflection offers a message of hope, dignity, and affirmation to LGBTQIA2S+ siblings in Christ, reminding us that God’s love is steadfast, inclusive, and life-giving, and that the Church is at its best when it reflects the generous welcome of Jesus.
Reading for Justice: A Personal Invitation
Reading widely and thoughtfully can become a spiritual practice that expands both our understanding and our compassion. Books that challenge our assumptions invite us to listen more deeply, seek justice more faithfully, and grow in love for our neighbours. This reflection offers a personal invitation to embrace reading as part of Christian discipleship, reminding us that hearts and minds are transformed when we are willing to learn with humility and courage.
Leading from Joy: What’s Good, What’s Now, What’s News
Christian leadership flourishes not through anxiety or constant urgency, but through joy rooted in the presence of God. Paying attention to what is good, what is happening now, and where new possibilities are emerging helps us lead with hope rather than fear. This reflection explores the spiritual discipline of joyful leadership, reminding us that gratitude, attentiveness, and trust in the Holy Spirit can transform the way we serve God’s people and embrace the future.
The Wounds We Carry, the Wisdom We Inherit: Ancestral Healing and Sacred Leadership
The stories, wounds, and wisdom we inherit from those who came before us continue to shape our lives and our leadership. Yet God’s grace is always at work, bringing healing where there has been pain and hope where there has been brokenness. This reflection explores the sacred work of acknowledging our inheritance with honesty and compassion, discovering that healing the past is an essential part of leading faithfully into the future.