Labels

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman We all have the tendency to attach labels to ourselves. We call ourselves certain things based on physical attributes, health issues, age, national heritage, marital status, profession, etc. Therefore I might call myself a slightly overweight, diabetic, mid-senior, Scandinavian, married minister. Now I will surely modify some of those

Serious Symptoms

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman When I go to the doctor with an ailment, she will always ask first about my symptoms because it is from these symptoms and the subsequent examination that a diagnosis will come. She asks about my symptoms, sympathizes with my symptoms, and may even offer remedies for my symptoms,

A Thief in the Night

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman Several years ago, my friend’s house was broken into. The thieves took some valuable electronic stuff from a workroom and some not so valuable snack food from the kitchen counter. They even got into the refrigerator and left the door open when they left. Such punks! My very nice

Sitting on Papa’s Lap

In our home, we have a Yorkie-poo named Princess. She rules the roost. I affectionately call her “Princess, the Wesleyan-Holiness Dog.” I call her that because with her grayish-white hair and piercing eyes, she looks somewhat like John Wesley. If you know anything about Yorkie-poos, you know they are very good apartment dogs, need only

Personal Gifts are the Best Because Life is Messy

My greatest gifts this year were personal gifts. They were seeing my aquaintences, friends, and family come through some hellish events and circumstances with a smile on their faces. I watched as many fought illnesses of one kind or another. They are still with us, finding reasons to smile in the everyday workd of pain

Birthday Presents to My Fragile Self

I turned 65 today. I spent yesterday reflecting on the previous year, not in recapping the joys of victories won, although there were some, but instead lamenting areas of fragility I’m learning to come to terms with. Last year was the year of increased health issues that left me feeling vulnerable and weak. Nothing as