I’m a pastor in the United Methodist Church, where the one constant we share is change. In our denomination, pastors serve on an itinerant system, which means that the cabinet (the bishop plus the district superintendents) chooses which pastors will serve in different locations. As a result, I’ll…
In the Twinkling of an Eye - a Column by Joe MacDonald
On Monday, my youngest son, Caeleb, will begin his second semester as a freshman at the University of New Mexico. Last night he asked me if I had a few minutes to talk. I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but when my 18-year-old asks outright for…
Many of us resume our schedules after the holidays, when we start a new year. We recommit ourselves to following a health plan or finding ways to let go of past hurts. Just to be clear, I didn’t say New Year’s resolutions. When we decide to redirect unhealthy behavior and…
In winter, when the trees no longer hold their leaves, and the cold and shorter days can make us feel like something has been lost, we can find in the peculiar evergreens a contrast to all those feelings of hopelessness. There is life still growing amid all that lifeless darkness,…
As I write this column, it’s my 32nd wedding anniversary. I met my wife, Cazandra, when we were in college. At first, we didn’t get along because we’re pretty different people: She’s an introvert while I feed off other people’s energy. College friends continue to ask us if we’re…
For many years, my wife, Cazandra, played in the orchestra at Houston’s First Baptist Church in Texas. Her musical ability was second to none. I loved hearing the passages she played as she soared up to beautiful high notes with phrasing that made my heart melt. We had a…
Earlier this week, my youngest son, Caeleb, and I parked my car and walked to the financial aid office at the University of New Mexico, where he’s a freshman. As we walked, we talked about him registering for the spring semester. He expressed concern that he wouldn’t get into the…
One thing I noticed during my son Caeleb’s frequent hospitalizations was the need for his mother, Cazandra, and I to circle the wagons to protect him and his brother, Julian. We gave friends and family updates and quick calls, but during many holidays that we celebrated in the hospital,…
My wife, Cazandra, had complicated surgery last week that required her to spend some time in the hospital, followed by at least two weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. We were in shock, as we’d thought she would spend three days in a health facility and then finish her…
My oldest son, Julian, recently approached me and asked, “Dad, can you play this song for me on the piano? I have to post a singing audition tonight.” Panic filled my body. I responded, “Oh, Julian, this song has too many fast chord changes.” He walked away, trying to find…
