Some of you may know that I am studying for an MA in Clinical Mental Health at UNC Charlotte. I am nearly to the end – I intend to graduate in December of this year. Part of learning to be a counselor is learning how to ask the right questions at the right time. The undergirding mantra of the profession is “the client is the expert” of their life and experiences. Through developing active listening skills, the competent counselor finds the cues that lead to the deep issues that the client is...

On Sunday, Kevin preached on the passage from Isaiah appointed for the day, in which God tell his people, “Is this the fast that I chose?” (Isaiah 58:6) Kevin’s sermon went on with the message of Isaiah that God appreciates our worship but the rituals aren’t the main event - to not over focus on the worship but let the worship fuel care for the poor, the hungry, the naked, and the suffering. Isaiah called the people to turn from worship renewed and strengthened to care for those in their...

Summer is nearly half over! It is already time to take out my zucchini plants, which have astounded me with their bounty. It’s amazing to plant seeds in the ground in the beginning of May, harvest twenty pounds of veggies in June, and then by mid-July they are already done for the season. The second half of the summer will be all about figs and okra. The SEEDS Garden is nothing less than a patchwork of miracles. I hope you take time to go and walk the pathways between the garden beds and be...