Woody’s New Years Resolutions

December 31, 2013.Reading time 2 minutes.

Even though I’ve made it crystal clear that I do not make New Year’s Resolutions, I’ve reposted these several years on this day just because they’re so awesome. This list is from 1942 and the great Woody Guthrie. Click the pic to enlarge. As I’ve said before, I don’t “do” New Year’s Resolutions. I have […]

Remembering Dan

December 16, 2013.Reading time 3 minutes.

Today marks the 6th Anniversary of the death of Dan Fogelberg. To honor him, I’ve uploaded a new mix of the song I wrote in his honor. I won’t wax long about Dan today. Only to say that as each year passes, the gratitude I have for his gift of music grows. Musically, and production-wise, […]

One Thing Worse Than This

November 17, 2013.Reading time 13 minutes.

On November 24, 1963, two days after the assassination of John F Kennedy in Dallas, Rev. William Holmes, pastor of Northaven Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas preached this sermon. The sermon, and the reaction to it, became its own story, when Walter Cronkite ran an extended excerpt on the CBS Evening News, and Rev. Holmes […]

Carole Carsey

April 5, 2013.Reading time 32 minutes.

With little editing (meaning: there’s lots of typos) here is my eulogy for beloved Northavener, Carole Carsey. This should publish around the time the service starts today. She was always one of my “Balcony People” but is for sure now…EF I am confident that everyone in this room will agree with me when I say […]

My Introduction of Bill McElvaney

February 5, 2013.Reading time 18 minutes.

The following is the gist of my introduction of Dr. William K. McElvaney, as he received the “Distinguished Alumnus Award” tonight from Perkins School of Theology. It includes some biographical info that I omitted, since it was also in the printed program, but that makes sense to include here. I am deeply honored that Bill […]

Goodbye, Mr. Peppermint

September 27, 2011.Reading time 7 minutes.

How is it that I am this sad today, about the death of Mr. Peppermint? A few moments ago, I was in literal tears, followed by a feeling embarrassment. I wasn’t a close friend, like others here in Dallas can say. I didn’t know him through theater circles, as some drama-friends did. But like an […]

Kathleen, did you send the snow today?

December 2, 2009.Reading time 2 minutes.

What a joy to wake up to a brief snow storm this morning. (pics here) What a joy to have Maria run in the bedroom, screaming “IT’S SNOWING!!!” That kind of memory will never fade. Every time it snows, I will remember that moment of joy. And I needed this snow this morning. I needed […]

"Love In Time," A Final Gift from Dan Fogelberg

September 22, 2009.Reading time 8 minutes.

Most of you who know my musical tastes know the hallowed, and unabashed, place that Dan Fogelberg holds in my heart. Dan died far too young. To this day, many times when I’m listening to his music, it’s hard for me to fathom that he’s been gone for almost two years now. And even now, […]

More on Millard

February 6, 2009.Reading time 3 minutes.

The entry below is reposted from the Fuller Center website, and has more information about Millard Fuller’s death. Pay special attention to the description of how Millard, one of our most influential leaders, was buried: in a simple box, with no grave marker. Totally consistent with his own spiritual values… “Millard Fuller, the founder of […]

Millard Fuller

February 4, 2009.Reading time 23 minutes.

I was visiting the hospital around lunchtime today, when I got a Tweet that Habitat for Humanity cofounder, Millard Fuller, had died. This news makes me terribly sad, as I consider Millard a personal hero and inspiration. Like all of us, Millard had feet of clay. But his dreams and visions, his zest for helping […]