2019: It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Every year brings its own gifts and challenges. For me, though, 2019 brought a lot of both. It was a hard year in some respects. More conflict than normal. Many tears. Wrestling with hard questions and hard answers. Raging at the darkness [...]
Today's blog is a guest post from central Ohio entrepreneur Luke Henry. (Yes, we are related; he's my brother.) His story is unique but rural entrepreneurs will identify with much of Luke's journey. I believe that entrepreneurs are some of the most vital agents of renewal in rural communities. We do well to nurture business, [...]
Ashlyn and I recently attended a Columbus Clippers baseball game with my cousin and his family. It was fun to take in a ball game on a summer evening and enjoy America's favorite pastime; but there was something else that I enjoyed even more: the kids. We had four kids with us. They didn't pay [...]
Today's post comes from the manuscript of a message shared by Andy Henry when he and Ashlyn shared reflections on mission with Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Delaware, Ohio. Ashlyn talked about her experience with international and short-term mission trips while Andy talked about mission in a local context. Enjoy! Samuel L. Clemens, also known [...]
The second annual New Year's retreat is in the books! I was delighted to join 10 other companions in a cozy lodge nestled in Hocking Hills for a time of rest, reflection, and refreshment. I trust that everyone left a bit more rested and ready to engage another year, finding renewal through times of group [...]
The kingdom of God is justice and peace/and joy in the Holy Spirit/Come, Lord, and open in us/the gates of your kingdom. I sang these words with a small group of Friends at a recent retreat. They come from a Taize chant called "The Kingdom of God." If you're not familiar with Taize, the simple [...]
Recently, my thinking has been pretty edgy. By that I mean that I have been thinking about what it means to attend to life's growing edges. "Living on the edge" is not a lifestyle that appeals to me. It conjures up the image of driving along a narrow road that drops off down a massive [...]
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about death. Strange, I know, but I have had a lot of inspiration. My partner's father passed away last week. Someone shot up a synagogue that same day. Today is All Saints' Day. During a recent retreat, I prayed for six nights with chanting monks that I would have [...]
Some days I wonder if I should change the name of this ministry. How can I talk about the possibilities of abundance when I feel surrounded by scarcity? I turn on the news, check my bank account, or learn a family member is seriously ill and the world doesn't seem like a place of abundant [...]
I grew up in the Quaker tradition but my church was heavily influenced by the evangelical stream of Protestantism. Because of this, we talked a lot about the Bible. The Bible was central to our faith and practice. We talked a lot about what was in the Bible and why we should read it. However, [...]
Recovering Abundance 