Tag Archives: appalachia

The Woman Who Stabbed Her Brother and Packed It Off On Her Husband

Posted on January 13, 2018 by

Papaw Scott tried to warn me. He said, “if you keep poking around up the family tree, you might find something you don’t want to know.” Which, can I be honest? It just made me poke around all the more. … Continue reading →

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Ode to Dr Ralph Stanley

Posted on June 24, 2016 by

A legend has gone to glory. God was preparing me for this.  I’m probably the biggest Ralph Stanley fan there is.  Ever.  There was just something about the sound of his voice, the ring of his banjo, the humility of … Continue reading →

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You Can Get Your “Shout” Back

Posted on April 8, 2016 by

First, let me just add, I’m not a Pentecostal, but I do occasionally find myself in the position of shouting in worship.  The Holy Spirit has a way of doing that to you.  Sometimes you shed a tear, sometimes you … Continue reading →

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The Appalachian Region Has Died. Long Live Appalachia!

Posted on December 4, 2015 by

I truly believe that there is a source of grace that will bring hope once again out of the despair of Appalachia. God has not abandoned us. Continue reading →

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How Loving and Leading Can Be a Faithful Response in Today’s Church

Posted on October 17, 2015 by

I have developed a deep love for southwest Virginia. I am so blessed to have met many exemplary people who have lived faithful lives and died faithful deaths here. There are some wonderful, loving ways people are living their lives here as disciples of Jesus Christ. It isn’t a vast wasteland at all. Continue reading →

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New Hats and Methodist Conferences

Posted on June 13, 2015 by

It’s a Spring ritual.  Old timers say it used to be an autumn ritual, but that’s before my day, and since I never experienced it, I can only write from what I know. But every year when the Day Lilies … Continue reading →

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Medicine in Appalachia

Posted on April 4, 2014 by

There’s something about the way we mountain people view health.  I think we value our health, but we have odd feelings about medicine. For instance, one of the most widely practiced ways of getting people well in these hills and … Continue reading →

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