Writings - P.A. Early

“The world is a vampire.”

please listen to End Serenading by Mineral Once upon a time, there was a curious, energetic, daring, dreaming little boy.

On a five-hour road trip, there is no more repeated question in a father’s ears than: “How long until we get there?”

“You have to let your father and father figures go.

“The innocence of the child is its immediacy and nearness to everything.

“Never Horses The landscape is littered with ponies never to become horses, lazily grazing til kingdom come.

One of the incredible responsibilities I have as a pastor is helping people process, steward, and release their shame in light of Jesus, the gospel, and the indwelling Holy Spirit who comforts, guides, and empowers us to walk in new life.

“Now I become myself.

“Holy One, there is something I wanted to tell you, but there have been errands to run, bills to pay, arrangements to make, meetings to attend, friends to entertain, washing to do... and I forget what it is I wanted to say to you, and mostly I forget what…

“…at times Christians have made the return of Christ seem either hokey or horrifying.

This year I introduced our church to the “O Antiphons” (anti meaning “to return” and phone meaning “sound”).

“The house lights go off and the footlights come on.

“I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self.

“Odysseus almost got home years before his actual homecoming.

“To follow Jesus implies that we enter into a way of life that is given character and shape and direction by the one who calls us.

“From the outskirts of the town, Where of old the mile-stone stood, Now a stranger, looking down, I behold the shadowy crown Of the dark and haunted wood.

“It’s good to try to remember moments that are easily forgotten because it is within those moments that I suspect Jesus’ words ring the truest.

“Debate about how one gets converted has gone on for a long time.

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ” — Luke 23:42 “Thieves know where to look for valuables.

“ A soft, warm, yellow light lands on the small wooden desk.

The place in which you live can become one of the greatest spiritual formation teachers of your life if you’ve got eyes to see.