Rite of Passage: Shoeless Pastor
He was a homeless man. I don’t know his name. He didn’t want to be homeless, but one event after another had robbed him of the necessities of life. Now, he found himself spending each day going from place to place, just trying to survive. Finally, a break came his way, and a painter offered him a job. The man slid a dirty sock over each foot and, taking his broken sandals, pressed one onto the bottom of each foot, using duct tape to...
Rite of passage: Recipe for success
There are two types of cooks in the world: those who see cooking as an art, and those who wait for the smoke alarm to go off, signaling that their meal is ready. It is a universal truth that there is nothing like your own mom’s cooking. When I was first married, I learned very quickly not to say, “My mom didn’t make it that way” or, “It doesn’t taste like my mom’s.” Of course, I thought Mom’s way was the only way. But I have expanded...
Rite of Passage: Broken and Beautiful
Today, I had to say goodbye to an old and trusted friend. We met years ago, when I was a neophyte in the ministry. My traveling days were just beginning, and all I had was a new Bible and an old suitcase made of cardboard. It was just a cloth-covered box with a handle, nothing fancy, but it worked. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular that day when I walked into the store, but there she stood, so regal in all her glory. My...
Rite of passage: ‘Moore adventures’
It isn’t having grandchildren that make me feel old these days; it is the knowledge that I am married to their grandmother. These last few years, adding the role of grandfather to my life has brought me some of the best days I’ve ever had. Many grandparents tell me to enjoy this phase while I can, because when my grandsons hit their teenage years, I will take a back seat to their friends. I know that life is constantly changing, and...
Rite of Passage: Bicycles and Births
On the day River the Peacemaker entered this world, my wife and I had Titus the Honorable and Cohen the Goodhearted staying with us. The weather was beautiful, so Titus got out his little bicycle and rode around the backyard while Cohen watered Grammy’s flowers. Before long, Titus came to me, his expression serious. “Poppy, I think it’s time we take the training wheels off this bike.” What do you do when a 5 1/2-year-old looks at you...
