Essays and reflections on spiritual formation, the church, music, and daily faithfulness — 648 pieces, gathered in one home.
I wrote this prayer of confession for a communion Sunday when I was preaching a sermon "Where's the Fire?", in reflection on the story of Moses and the burning bush. "Lord of holy
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
It was one of those moments that brings it all together. In an instant, I was reminded of all that I believe and everything that I live for. When one outstanding young lady came fo
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is a handwritten letter by Laura Francis Clark Hamby or George Washington Hamby (my great grandparents), sent to their son James Earley Hamby and his wife Charlotte Goins Hamb
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
It's amazing what you can find on the internet. My grandfather, Rev. C.P. Hamby, was referenced and then quoted in the book "Five Years on the Firing Line: A Book on Earnest Evange
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column that appeared in the June 6, 2017 issue of "The Arab Tribune." Displayed is my photograph of the scene at Bon Secour. It's that time of year. I imagine you love t
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column which was published in The Arab Tribune on April 12, 2017. From time to time, our politicians debate over what stimulates the economy. Everyone agrees we’ve got t
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column that was published in The Arab Tribune on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Pictured is my cousin, Marian, with a Civil War era family treasure back in her hands. Oscar W
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column that was published in The Arab Tribune on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. I have a small, rectangular cedar chest that I keep in my study at the house. It holds esse
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This article was published on the front page of The Arab Tribune on Saturday, January 28, 2017. There is a turn of a phrase in Ghana that catches me by surprise every time I hear i
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column that appeared in The Arab Tribune on Wednesday, January 4, 2016. Every year, it seems something unusual makes my Christmas holidays delightful. It serves to remin
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column which appeared in the Dec. 14, 2016 issue of The Arab Tribune. I was astounded by the bright, swirling bits of fire expanding in a quiet, seemingly random pattern
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column which was published in The Arab Tribune on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Have you noticed there's an election coming up? That's a silly question. Of course you hav
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is the handout I prepared for the "Intro to Spiritual Formation" workshop at Camp Lee on September 29, 2016 sponsored by the Spiritual Formation Team of the North Alabama Conf
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column which was published in The Arab Tribune on Wednesday, August 31, 2016. My mother was a really organized person. She orchestrated our family reunions, she kept a l
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my devotional, shared at the North Alabama Conference Board of Ordained Ministry Meeting on August 11, 2016. "Do this in remembrance of me." I have no idea how many times I
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my article that appeared in The United Methodist Reporter on July 25, 2016 and in The Arab Tribune on July 27, 2016. The United Methodist Church I love so dearly is navigat
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is a five-minute homily I prepared on Matthew 7:21-29 (the wise person who built his house upon a rock and the foolish one who built on sand). I prepared this complete text fo
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This column was published in The Arab Tribune on Wednesday, June 29. I was familiar with the African tradition of carrying water on the head but had never seen it in person before.
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column that appeared in early June of 2016 in "The Arab Tribune." I am blessed to have some strong women in my life. It started with my mom, who was an amazing witness t
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column that appeared in the Arab Tribune on Wednesday, March 30, 2016. The editor told me it made him cry. I'm honored (I think!). There are times when I feel like I’m s
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
We have made some strange modern amendments to our most ancient Christians traditions. It seems, for example, that Christmas is so heavily influenced by commercialism that it start
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
March is upon us, and we are drawing close to Holy Week. I pray and hope that your Lenten season has been meaningful and powerful. I think of Lent as an adventure in drawing close.
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I love this stained glass window of Jesus drawing the world to himself at St. Paul UMC in the Civil Rights District in Birmingham. This historic church was very involved in social
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my column which appeared in The Arab Tribune on Wednesday, March 2, 2016. There are a few perks to being a pastor besides the obvious ones (hospitality in homes and coffee
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
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