Advent teaches us that waiting is not wasted time but holy time. As the candles are lit one by one, they remind us that hope grows patiently, even when we would rather rush ahead. With warmth and gentle humour, this reflection explores the spiritual discipline of waiting, discovering that God often does God’s deepest work in us while we are learning to trust the light that is still on its way.
Tag Archives: The Cyber Priest
Prayer When You’re Too Tired to Pray
There are days when even the simplest prayer feels beyond our strength. Yet God’s love is never dependent upon our eloquence or energy. This reflection explores the grace of praying through weariness, discovering that when our own words fail, the Spirit continues to hold us, intercede for us, and surround us with a love that never grows tired.
The Theology of Small Steps: Camino Lessons for Daily Life (Because not every pilgrimage requires a blister the size of Manitoba)
The Camino teaches that every great journey is completed one step at a time. Thankfully, most of our daily pilgrimages require less distance—and fewer blisters. With warmth, gentle humour, and wisdom gathered along the trail, this reflection explores how God shapes our lives through small, faithful steps, reminding us that lasting transformation is rarely dramatic but almost always wonderfully ordinary.
When Your Sermon Has a Mind of Its Own. A meditation on preaching, improvising, and trusting the Spirit when your notes betray you
Every preacher knows the moment when the carefully prepared manuscript suddenly seems to have its own ideas. Sometimes the notes no longer fit the moment, and the Spirit quietly invites us to trust more than our outline. With self-deprecating humour and pastoral honesty, this reflection explores the holy adventure of preaching, discovering that God’s most important word is often spoken when we are willing to listen as much as we speak.
The Theology of the Church Parking Lot (Where Holy Hospitality Meets Mysterious Traffic Patterns and the Spiritual Discipline of Not Honking)
Long before anyone reaches the sanctuary, the church parking lot has already become a place of ministry. It is where hospitality begins, patience is occasionally tested, and grace is practiced one slow-moving vehicle at a time. With gentle humour, this reflection explores the unexpected spirituality of parking lots, reminding us that the Kingdom of God often starts long before we walk through the church doors.
The Rectory Doorbell: Adventures in Unexpected Pastoral Visits (Where sanctification arrives one chime at a time.)
Every ring of the rectory doorbell carries the possibility of an unexpected encounter. It might be a neighbour, a parishioner, a stranger in need, or a moment of grace arriving without an appointment. With warmth and gentle humour, this reflection explores the sacred unpredictability of pastoral life, discovering that some of God’s most meaningful invitations come one unexpected knock—or one cheerful chime—at a time.
Why the Choir Always Shows Up Early (Except When They Don’t) A music-infused meditation on the mysteries of choir logistics and why someone always forgets their folder
Choirs are built on faithful rehearsals, shared laughter, well-loved music folders, and the occasional last-minute scramble. Somehow, despite forgotten binders and unpredictable logistics, the music always rises to the glory of God. With affectionate humour, this reflection celebrates the quiet ministry of church choirs, reminding us that faithful worship is less about flawless performance than about offering our voices—and ourselves—with joy and love.
Why Wardens Deserve a Feast Day (With Apologies to Saints Everywhere, Who Are Probably Fine With Sharing the Calendar)
Wardens rarely seek the spotlight, yet they quietly shoulder countless responsibilities that help a parish flourish. From budgets and buildings to wise counsel and steady encouragement, their ministry is one of faithful service offered behind the scenes. With warmth, gratitude, and a generous measure of humour, this reflection celebrates the vocation of church wardens, suggesting that if they do not yet have their own feast day, perhaps they have more than earned one.
The Parish Noticeboard: A Comedy in Thumbtacks and Hope
A parish noticeboard is far more than a collection of announcements. It is a colourful chronicle of community life, filled with invitations, memories, hopeful plans, and the occasional thumbtack holding everything together. With gentle humour and affectionate insight, this reflection explores the surprising theology of the noticeboard, reminding us that God’s work is often revealed in the ordinary ways a congregation learns, serves, and belongs together.
The Rector’s Study: A Field Guide to Controlled Clerical Chaos (Where the Spirit hovers over the clutter, and the clutter hovers back.)
A rector’s study is a curious blend of books, sermon notes, coffee mugs, pastoral letters, and the occasional mystery pile that no one dares disturb. Yet amid the controlled chaos, prayer is offered, sermons take shape, and lives are held before God. With warmth and self-deprecating humour, this reflection explores the holy disorder of ministry, discovering that the Spirit is remarkably comfortable working in places that look a little less than perfectly organized.