There's no going back
This is a first and hopefully a last – someone asked me to unbaptize them. It was a woman who appeared to be in her thirties. She was...
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ASK ME FOR A BLESSING
God's grace is meant to be shared
Nov 1, 20233 min read
Jesus Freak
Every once in a while, I get to bless a baby in utero. This includes expectant moms in my congregation and sometimes strangers I meet...
Jul 7, 20233 min read
A chalk cross, a curse, and some holy laughter
The other day I got chalk on someone’s forehead when giving them a blessing. It was left over from writing and rewriting “Ask me for a...
May 29, 20233 min read
Indelible alleluias
I recently cried for the first time in this ministry. I’ve gotten misty-eyed before, but this was the first time a tear actually escaped...
Apr 24, 20232 min read
God bless y'all!
A few days ago I got to offer blessings in downtown Nashville, right outside Christ Church Cathedral. As I set up on the sidewalk in the...
Jan 28, 20233 min read
Patient understanding and persevering love
This week I met a man who asked for a blessing on his first day of sobriety. He was an alcoholic and clearly hungover. Bloodshot eyes,...
Oct 8, 20222 min read
When the demons come out
A clergy colleague once told me, "The demons come out before Christmas and Easter.” His point was that spiritual darkness in the world...
Aug 23, 20223 min read
Let the BS recede
Last week I had two prayer requests related to marriage. The first was from a middle-aged couple who said they wanted their marriage “to...
Jul 29, 20221 min read
Ready to launch
It’s been a minute. And by “a minute,” I mean well over a year. It’s hard to believe I haven’t posted to this blog since January of 2021....
Jan 13, 20211 min read
"Ask me for a blessing" on TV!
New York's WABC-TV covered this ministry on the 5:00 news. Click here for the story!
Jul 17, 20203 min read
Back in the saddle
This week I resumed my ministry of offering blessings outside. Only now I have a special mask to match my stole (green for the season of...
Feb 25, 20203 min read
Blessed are the psychotic
As a minister in an urban setting, I come into contact with my fair share of people with signs of severe mental illness. “Saucy J” told...
Nov 12, 20192 min read
Eat Kneel Bless
Last week I got my first kneeler. Someone kneeled down on the sidewalk in front of me and asked for a blessing. Even more surprising than...
Oct 25, 20193 min read
What wondrous love is this
Three weeks ago today was the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, which always falls on October 4. It feels like forever...
Sep 25, 20192 min read
Church meets world
As I stood in front of my church to offer blessings this week, I kept fixating on its shadow. Our church building casts a large shadow on...
Aug 23, 20193 min read
A fact of love
"My wife's father was murdered a year ago and her emotions still erupt like a volcano." I've heard a lot of surprising things in this...
Jul 19, 20192 min read
Peace be with you.
One of the most common prayer requests I get is for peace. Sometimes this request is tied to a specific situation, such as divisiveness...
Jun 28, 20191 min read
Another take
A reporter for Religion News Service gives her perspective on “Ask Me for a Blessing.” Check it out! https://religionnews.com/2019/06/27/...
Jun 12, 20193 min read
Pray for me, a sinner
Every once in a while, I get someone who wants to pray for me rather than the other way around. They usually approach me with great...
May 24, 20192 min read
Preach!
This week I heard three sermons from three different people who stopped for a blessing. I don’t think any of them knew they were...
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