Christmas Questions
As a person with theological training, I am sometimes asked out of the blue questions about God, Jesus, church, the meaning of life, and other “little things.” Sometimes the questions come from friends whose...
What Does Gentrifying Mean?
As I take people on a tour through Greenville, I use the term gentrifying. I often need to explain what that means. I’m challenged because gentrifying has both good news and bad news about...
Myth Busters
Myth Busters Compiled by Beth Templeton, 3.30.18 Based on Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer, $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, Mariner Books, imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015 Not...
Tribute to a Magnolia Tree
Every morning when I wake up, I open my curtains and crawl back into bed to read, write, or simply let my mind wander. As I do these things, I look at the magnolia...
Our Eyes Were Opened, Inc. 2017
Areas Where OEWO, Inc, Events Happened: GEOGRAPHIC: Greenville, Rock Hill, York, Liberty, Spartanburg, Greensboro, Columbia, Clemson, and Chautauqua County, New York. GREENVILLE HEALTH SYSTEM: pediatric residents, Emergency Department residents, first year medical students, Med...
The Christmas Strawberry is available
I’m excited to announce that my newest book is now available on Amazon and at Fiction Addiction in Greenville, SC. The Christmas Strawberry and Other Stories is a collection of stories and poems that reflects on...
Is Donald Trump an Abbot?
How timely is this from Thomas Merton’s Journal, October 20, 1962? “People demand that the government ‘interfere’ in nothing, just pour money into the armament industry and provide a strong police for ‘security,’...
Hidden Voices (Part 6 in a six part series)
Hidden Voices (Part 6 of a 6-Part series) One other group of people whose voices are hidden are those who deal with severe mental illness and addiction issues. We’d like for people with mental...
Hidden Voices ( Part 5 in a series)
If we were watching live theater now, we’d see a crowd behind a scrim mumbling softly and then getting louder and louder. In the wings, we would hear the sound of buildings coming down...
Hidden Voices Part 4 in a Series
One way I identify hidden voices is from the comments I receive through my work with Our Eyes Were Opened, Inc. I’ve heard: “He committed a crime. Why should I help him?” Formerly incarcerated...
Hidden Voices Part 3 in a series
One way I identify hidden voices is from the comments I receive through my work with Our Eyes Were Opened, Inc. I’ve been told: If they’d stop having children and were responsible for the...
Hidden Voices (Part 2 of a series)
One way I identify hidden voices is from the comments I receive through my work with Our Eyes Were Opened, Inc. One comment that I hear is: “If they’d just get a job, everything...
Hidden Voices
We will not, do not, or cannot hear the voices that are hidden in our community. We will not…hear hidden voices We stay within the confines of people more or less like us. We...
Hawks and Doves
Hawks and Doves This week, a parable took place right in front of me with a hawk and a dove. I’m talking real birds here, not symbols. It seems timely since it happened the...
Donald Trump Prayer Project 6.20.17
Creator of the World, help Mr. Trump find ways to listen to the tweets of real birds, beyond the interiors of buildings, endless meetings, and incessant voices. Amen
Donald Trump Prayer Project 5.22.17
God of the Whirling Planets, grandiose gestures on the part of us humans must seem pretty silly sometimes. Be with President Trump so that his decisions reflect the grandeur of your universe. Amen 5.22.17
Gentrifying vs. Gentle-fying a Neighborhood
Gentrifying: House is purchased for income building Gentle-fying: House is purchased for neighborhood building Gentrifying: Security is based on locks, gates, and systems Gentle-fying: Security is based on friendships and watching out for each...
Donald Trump Prayer Project 5.8.17
Holy God, you have said that we shall have no other gods before us. Are you talking about the gods that all people worship, no matter what name they use for you? Gods such...
Donald Trump Prayer Project 4.25.17
God of Wisdom, give Mr. Trump true wisdom—not immediate quips; sound judgment—not sound bytes; and deep substance—not shallow reactions. Amen 4.25.17
What’s the Definition of Affordable?
Affordable is a nondescript word. However, it gets used a lot, especially now in Greenville while the City works with their consultant and other groups planning to build more “affordable housing.” When people with...