James Derkits

The last time I read the Shel Silverstein book The Giving Tree  it was to a group of young campers out at Mustang Island Family Camp (dwtx.org for more info.) It is a beautiful story that reminds me of God's creative and abundant love. If you haven't read it, I recommend it. The giving tree is just that: she gives and gives supplying for the needs of the boy as he grows to be an old man. It's a story of grace. Homes for Displaced Marlins Celebration I've learned a lot about grace in the past two years. Our church recently dedicated a new stained glass window to the volunteers who came to our aid after the hurricane. It is symbolized by one hand reaching up from a turbulent sea, and many hands reaching down symbolizing those who reached out to us from nearby and far away. Although we are still on the journey toward our new normal after the storm, we have made amazing progress. I volunteered on the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Katrina, and on the East Texas Coast af

(No spoilers.)     I watched the final episode of Game of Thrones last night and found it appropriate to the show. I won't say it's satisfying or everything I hoped for...I would love another few episodes, or another season even. It was a conclusion to a complex story that my wife Laura and I started with the books: first reading them, then listening to an audio version, then thrilled when the first season was released.    I can't say I recommend it, it's violent and there are a lot of sex scenes in it (one friend even calls it "Dragon Porn.") It's a rich story told in a metamodern way: The heroes are flawed, the evil people have love for others, and there are all these mystical elements throughout. The final season has ended. Winter was coming, then it came, and now it is over.    I listened to my favorite podcast, the Sacred Speaks , recently and learned that term "metamodernism" in John Price's interview of Linda Ceriello. She talke

On my phone, when someone calls, I get the option to send a message, instead of answering or simply declining. For instance, if I'm in a meeting, and I see my phone ring from someone I was expecting to call, I can send a message in two clicks that reads, "Can I call you later?" My favorite option, though, is, "I'm on my way." I usually send that one to close friends who call me, especially if they live in other cities. A priest friend from Austin called recently to ask about how we were doing Bible study. It was mid week around lunch time. I sent the automatic text, "I'm on my way." He wrote back, "Well hurry, I'm about to order lunch." When I finally called him back, he asked where I was, and I told him I'm in Port Aransas, but I'm still on my way...always, at least while I'm alive, I'll be on my way, never quite arriving. In St. John's Gospel, Jesus make quite a few "I AM" statements. It is an ech