Bøger udgivet af Parson's Porch

As I walked in the Beauty and Wonder of Alaska in the last decade, flowers spoke to me, saying, "Take my picture. Write a poem about me." Flowers are never isolated, but are connected with everything that is before them, beside them, under them, and over them. Flowers both clothe and reveal the spirit of nature. A flower poem is nature magically revealing itself. I often capitalize Beauty, Wonder, Tenderness, and Kindness as names for God. At a time when the name, God, is abused and associated with a conservative judgmental spirit, these poems allow me to speak a daisy fresh freeing message. Most of the flower poems were written in the depth of Alaska winters, a time of almost total darkness. This adventurous activity, created in me an invincible spring and summer. Photos and poems bring their own sunshine that warms our soul. Flowers speak Tenderness and the magic of Wonder.

Allow me to share a word about the title - 'Are You Jesus?', and other poems, prayers and ponderings. I wrote the signature poem for this edition while on silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist Kentucky. After hearing a retreat talk from Father Carlos, the Guestmaster at the Abbey, I began reflecting on the various ways we experience the presence of Jesus in our day-to-day lives. Father Carlos referenced Jesus' response to Philip in John's Gospel during the "Farewell Discourse" (John 14:8-11). To his request to see the Father, Jesus replied that to see the Son was to see the Father. Having seen Jesus, Philip and the disciples had seen the Father. Granted, I had read this text countless times before. Still, when Father Carlos invited us to consider how, similarly, Jesus was to be seen in us, this simple truth felt amazingly fresh somehow to me. Immediately after returning to my dorm room at the Abbey I sat down and wrote the little poem, "Are You Jesus?" And as I pondered the title for this collection of writings, I kept coming back to the little poem inspired by Father Carlos at the Abbey. For me, this poem attempts to speak to what lies at the core of my understanding of authentic Christian faith. I believe God reaches out to us through us. I cannot speak of my faith apart from my experience of God through others. The language I use to speak of holy things has come to me by human agency. I owe my approach to biblical interpretation and faith to the many teachers and Christian practitioners who have shaped and challenged my thinking through the years. From seminary professors and classmates to clergy colleagues, parishioners and children, authors and spiritual guides, my deepening respect and love for the Holy Scriptures, along with my desire to be a self-denying, cross-carrying, Jesus-follower has been aided by a substantial cloud of witnesses. I cannot begin to speak of my faith journey apart from the impact that others have made on my life. Mine is a very incarnational theology. I believe the Word continues to be enfleshed in us. The book you hold in your hand represents my attempt to speak an authentic word that is both faithful to the Gospel and the human condition. We are fellow travelers in the journey of life, all created in the image of God and of sacred worth. I've tried to fashion these writings with both God and my fellow pilgrims in mind. Please know it is a gift to me that you are taking the time to give these pages some consideration. As amateur poet, ordained minister and 24/7 human being, I've made peace with my many imperfections. Which, maybe, by the grace of God allows me to write with some credibility to the human condition. These poems are by no means the fruit of a master poet. They are, however, the unmistakable byproduct of a lover of words who, having been blessed by God and countless other human beings, cannot deny a hunger to speak to other imperfect human beings, doing the best they can to make it through the day.

Beauty in God's world is everywhere. In fact, it is so all encompassing, it is too easy to run along through life and never really "see" what is all around. Oh sure, a great work of art, a sculpture, a little beaming child, a cuddly puppy, a field of flowers-I may notice those and pause a moment to take it in, but otherwise the pressures of schedule, personal interactions, work and just living in our complicated world can take over and block the "view."One early winter morning, a string of record-breaking bitter cold days was overlain by several inches of un-melting snow. I rounded the corner into the back room of our warm home and saw it: A bright red cardinal sitting on a barren branch of a small tree just outside the window. It was all puffed up and fat looking, but I knew, from an article I read just the day before, that birds fluff up like that to keep as warm as possible in the bitter cold. In the frame of the window, it was a perfect picture in nature's brilliant red against a backdrop of white snow. At first, I only thought of what a neat photo this would make and hurried for my phone camera.As I took several pictures, I realized-the cardinal was not enjoying the scenery and waiting patiently for me to get just the right picture. No, it was waiting for more seed to fill the empty bird feeder hanging in the little tree.It was a beautiful, solitary, probably lonely and very hungry figure.As I looked at the photos I took that morning-before I put on my coat, hat and boots and hurried out to fill the feeder with a new supply of seeds-I realized the contrasts of life were framed for me in that window. There I was, warm and comfortable inside my home. The awesome beauty of just one little bird so brilliantly adorned by God's plan for a world of beauty, love and fullness was ever present. But the scene was overshadowed by what I knew was a life-threatening circumstance for that creature. If the feeder was not replenished with food that provided it nourishment and the warmth of the energy it would create, the bird would likely perish.Every one of God's human children are a creation of intense beauty and awesome value. How often are those having difficulties left out in the "cold" by those inside where it is "warm"? How many of us, through pride or fear or both, stay puffed up and are never willing to show or say what we really need even when times are tough and maybe even desperate?

How rare is this book? In the 75-year history of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and during my 16 years of ministry in my beloved Pakistan, and in Afghanistan and UAE, I have never read the phrase, "evangelism through peace not by pressure." Being a 5th generation Christian, and having observed many Christian apologists and scholars trying to defend Christianity, I simply ask, how much good has that approach done? As recent as March 2023, I read a challenge on social media by a Christian debater, who is willing to defend Jesus Christ and Christianity by answering any Islamic scholar's challenge of the deity of Christ. Frankly, in my opinion, we are just wasting our time with this approach. We are winning few souls this way, and, in fact, are creating an environment of hatred though we are called to be the children of love. What has so dramatically changed my perspective about the future of Christianity in Pakistan? Dr. Edward N. Gross' book, Are you a Christian or a Disciple?, came into my hands and, when I read the title, I thought it would be worthwhile to read. Well, I ended up reading it three times, and becoming convinced that this focus on following Jesus as disciples with peace is the dire need of Pakistan today. Its message will help produce a paradigm shift here, as we were on the wrong path of debating, defending and evangelizing with pressure. And due to this, lots of people have lost their lives by severe persecutions and hatred. I requested and was accepted by Dr. Gross to let us translate and print this book into our Urdu Language. He did not just accept our request, but also helped find funding for the whole project. Then I thought it would be more fruitful if he could come in person and introduce the subject to our nation's ordained and youth leadership. What was the result of his coming to Pakistan and teaching different denominational leaders, seminary students, theologians, and Bishop Councils? They all were shocked as they listened to his teachings. It was an eye-opening moment for all of us. We discovered that we were making church members not disciples. We were doing evangelism with pressure not with peace. Now, the majority of our national leaders have agreed and become committed to using the biblical approach of "evangelism by peace not by pressure" going forward.

To the ReaderThe structure of this work is quite straightforward.In a sparsely furnished family physician's office, patients arrive alone to tell their story.What is important to this doctor? Only that which is important to his patients - nothing more and nothing less.Some come once, never to return. Others frequent his office repeatedly as they struggle to make sense of what has befallen them.None come for judgment; a few for advice; but all simply to be heard.On the left facing page are notations of several types:VOICE OVER - introduces the speaker&- commentary on how the poem is to be read&&- personal reflections of the writer on the meaning of the poemReaders may very well wonder if each poem represents a single patient. In a few instances, this is the case. But most of them are composites based upon repeated contact with people who have contended, in their unique ways, with common crises.I have been privileged to have had no less than 150,000 patient encounters (100 patients per week - 50 weeks per year - 30 years).Despite our differences, at the end of the day, we confront the same basic issues of life and living.

The summer of 2019 began a journey of curiosity, grief,persistence and in all honesty, fear. On February 26,2015, two loving and distinguished gentlemen left thisearth; my father, Rev. Joseph Nickell and my formerfather-in-law, Dr. Gibbs Prevost. The loss of these two,and on the same day, began my travels of selfdiscovery,intrigue, and a deeper sense of loss and hope.Not only did my father die, but my mother suffered astroke which resulted in greater memory loss and areliance on caretakers. At my father's funeral, delayeda month due to my mother's requirement to completephysical rehabilitation services, Carolyn Blevinsresponded with these words, "You've had a hell of a ride."She was not wrong. My mother continued to decline andon July 25, 2019, she died after residing in a memorycare unit for only two months.Watching Mary Nickell, a determined, hospitable andstubborn woman, decline for four years could bedescribed as a revelatory moment. I inherited mymother's determination and independent spirit, andthat spirit was telling me to move onward. I sold myhouse, put everything in storage, quit my job, but NOTmy profession, and decided to work in national parks;Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons so far.10As the events of 2020's covid pandemic loomed large thelevel of suffering was not lost on me. My isolation tookplace in the frozen tundra of the Grand Tetons, andworried for my family, as we were 2000 miles apart.Winter thawed the earth but covid was alive and well,and unfortunately thriving and spreading. Isolationcontinued, resulting in loss of lives, confusion,inability to have personal interactions, cancellation ofsentinel events, mental and physical fatigue.Being a part of nature was my way to cope with theisolation and sadness surrounding my spirit. Thepictures I had taken were ways to save those upliftingmoments and thought the beauty might be helpful forothers. Facebook and Instagram were my medium forsharing and the responses were overwhelming. Socialmedia influence was not my goal. Sending picturesthat might elicit peace, comfort and solace was mypurpose.Two people dear to my heart and soul, Rev. Mary BethDuke and Rev. Sharon Youngs, asked when mypictures would be published in a meditation book. Theirurgings, David Tullock and Parson's Porch are thecatalyst for these meditations.My travels have been varied; alone, accompanied byfamily and friends or with travelers along the way. I amgrateful for good health, and for now good knees. Theopportunity in front of me is not taken for granted.

This book, Heart Sijo, takes the broken pieces of our lives and reshapes them into songs that sing our heart awake. Poetry matches experience with reality, seeing the relationships between the invisible and visible. Nature poetry, using Korean culture images, teaches us that all societies, all things, are inter-related and inter-connected as one. Heart Sijo, weaves Beauty and Wonder into the ever-widening circles of our lives by capturing this adventurous enlightenment, making us healthier, happier, and more creative-moving us toward more meaningful lives.Dwayne Cole and his wife, Beth met while they were both in seminary studying for the Master of Divinity degree. Dwayne has also earned a Master of Theology and a Ph.D. in New Testament with a major in Greek. They have an adult son and daughter and four grandchildren. They came to Alaska in 2011 to be with family. Their daughter and son-in- law came to start their medical practice and needed help with their two children. This book is number 27 since coming to Alaska. Dwayne's passion is poetry that is inspired by his daily walks in the beauty and wonder of Alaska. You can reach Dwayne- tadpolejr@aol.com

In my first volume of poetry, titled VOICES, I introduced my readers to a few of the many patients I have had the privilege of caring for during 40 years of family practice. I let them speak in their own words of the crises afflicting them and their attempts, sometimes successful but often futile, to overcome the challenges they faced.In this volume I share with you a few more of my patients' stories.But most of the poems in this volume are my observations and commentary about our world.Some are dramatic and quite serious; some are playful and even quirky.It is a potpourri, a salmagundi, a gallimaufry to say the least.Enjoy.Jan Hahn

1984 was the Bi-Centennial Year of the founding of the Methodist Church in America. As a Charter Member of a newly established little Methodist Church, several members of our Sunday School Class were asked to select one of the Founding Fathers of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Francis Asbury, or Thomas Coke, and each to present to our Church a program on one Sunday over a period of a month in celebration of the Bi-Centennial Year. I chose John Wesley, and with a love of the church and a love of history, I read every book I could find on John Wesley, wrote a script, and decided to present my program as a costumed portrayal of John Wesley. That was the beginning of almost forty years of portraying John Wesley to churches throughout the North and South Georgia Conferences of the United Methodist Church, as well as a few in North Carolina. One weekend, I presented my portrayal of John Wesley to the United Methodist Men of the North Georgia Conference at their assemblage at Rock Eagle near Eatonton, Georgia. With that same love of history, I also created and presented other costumed portrayals, including those of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry, and presented them to church groups, schools, civic clubs and organizations throughout the Metropolitan Atlanta and North Georgia area. Don Germano

Jim McReynolds has done it again! He has filled another book from cover to cover with sheer, unadulterated joy. This man is a marvel. He truly is. I really believe he could be confined in a straitjacket, strapped in a briar-studded, hard, and unyielding chair in some subterranean prison with an unforgiving noise level produced by constantly thudding jackhammers and screaming air-whistles, and still think about how wonderfully joyous it all is. Age has not dimmed his voice or quelled his spirit. Now in his 80s, Jim is more devoted than ever to this ever-recurring theme in all his writings, that no matter how desperate our circumstances or how mitigated our pleasures, there is an indefinable, insuperable joy at the heart of human existence, and we are grossly remiss if we fail to note it and celebrate it with every heart's breath we take. I sometimes wonder what it must be like to be Laurel McReynolds and to married to this fantastically positive and celebrate eternal joy. The illustrious Norman Vincent Peale, author of the perennially best-selling The Power of Positive Thinking, was right, all those years ago, when he heard Jim preach a sermon, anointed him the Minister of Joy to the World. It took one to know one, and Peale was nothing if he was not the great drum major of joyful, creative thinking from his pulpit on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Perhaps Laurel, who has served Jim's meals and helped to keep his house or what now proved years on end. Perhaps one day she would favor us with a book of her own, or at least an article, in which she describes what it has been like to share a home with this irrepressible genius of the eternal joyful attitude. Laurel is a joy herself, reflecting in her personality and face the supernal glow from her love for God who gives eternal joy. - From the Foreword by John KillingerJames E. McReynolds is a preacher, teacher, author, coach, and retreat leader who shares the joy of the Lord. He is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He lives in Elmwood, Nebraska.