Philip Gulley - December 18, 2006 - When Joan and I were first married, we lived in a three room apartment next door to the Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home.  It was a very small apartment so each of the rooms had several different functions.  Our living room was also our guest bedroom for when Joan's mother came to visit.  Joan's sewing room was in our bedroom, and our kitchen was my office.

Jim Mulholland - December 10, 2006 - There was a time in my life when I searched the Bible for answers.  I weighed all the scriptures on a specific issue and then decided what I believed to be the truth.  Once I’d figured out that truth, I didn’t have to seek or question any more.  My task was to enlighten and convince others of this truth.  My opinion was God’s opinion.

Philip Gulley - Are you truthful and honest in your business transactions, punctual in fulfilling your promises, and prompt in the payment of your debts?

August 27, 2006 - Jim Mulholland - Most of what Angie and I thought about parenting turned out to be nonsense once we actually had kids. We thought since adults are wiser than children that any command that was spoken calmly and firmly would be heard and obeyed.  Nicole proved that some two-year olds are born with the ability to litigate like a crusty old lawyer.  No was her first word and negotiation was her second. 

August 20, 2006 - Jim Mulholland - I'm in the middle of my annual battle to keep the grass from overwhelming the walkway between our house and the garage.  A few years ago, Zach and I pulled up those marble flagstones, laid down plastic, spread sand, and tightly arranged the stone squares.  When we were finished, that pathway was straight, clean and beautiful.  My hope was that the grass wouldn't be able to grow up between the stones and mar the perfection of that path.  It was a false hope.

Philip Gulley -
Do you faithfully maintain our testimony that war and the preparation of war are inconsistent with the spirit of Christ

Philip Gulley -
Do you cherish your friendships, so that they grow in depth and understanding and mutual respect�

Philip Gulley -
Do you strive to create a community life that will promote our children's mental and physical well-being?

Philip Gulley -
Do you make your home a place of hospitality, friendliness, peace, and Christian fellowship?

Philip Gulley -
When differences arise, do you make earnest effort to end them speedily?

Philip Gulley -
Do you consider difficult questions with an informed mind as well as a generous and loving spirit?

Philip Gulley -
Are you open to new light, from whatever source it may come?

Philip Gulley -
Are you open to the healing power of God's love?

Philip Gulley -
Do you strive for the constant realization of God's presence in your life?

Quaker Queries 1 - Philip Gulley - That's when I first learned about the Queries, and their purposes that they were a series of questions we asked ourselves which helped us cut through all the stuff, so we could center on what is key.  It's our way of bringing us back to the heart of God, of helping us remember what we were all about.

November 19, 2006 - Jim Mulholland - Two weeks ago, Angie and I traveled to New York City.  I'd been invited by the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship to speak at their annual conference.  I spoke to about sixty Unitarian Universalist pastors and leaders from across the USA about living the gracious life.  I also learned some valuable lessons about the importance of balancing a respect for doctrine and tradition with an openness to new insights and perspectives.

October 28, 2006 - Jim Mulholland - A couple of weeks ago, we were talking about community at the Spiritual Refreshment group that meets on Wednesday nights. Derek  - who was leading that night - asked us to remember an instance when we'd been warmly welcomed into a community.  I immediately thought about the Warren Township Lion's Club.

October 15, 2006 - Jim Mulholland - My brother, Matt, told me an interesting story.  It's even more interesting because Matt told it. You need to understand that Matt, my youngest brother, is the most materialistic of my siblings something he admits readily.  He's quick to buy the latest status symbol, a monster SUV, a big screen television, and a stainless steel gas grill.  He's unapologetic about his drive for economic success and security.  Matt has one goal to live the American dream.  All of which makes his story more interesting.

October 8, 2006 - Jim Mulholland - Isn't that a pretty song?  It has a nice melody and wonderful words.  This can be a rough world.  It can get lonely, even when you live in a city of a million people.  We all seek places where everybody knows our name�  But, sadly, this song isn't about the church.  It's about a bar.  It's the theme song from Cheers a comedy about a bar, its staff, and customers.  The song and the series suggest bars are wonderful communities of love and support.

Though I suspect bars aren't quite as perfect as television portrays them, I've also learned they're not as awful as I was taught.  Growing up, I had the impression that bars were evil, dark, smoky places where people drank a lot and then beat each other up.  We had a bar in Fountain Square called The Woodcutter that probably fit that description, but in my experience most bars offer community as well as alcohol.  After all, people can drink alone.  They come to bars looking for companionship.

September 10, 2006 - Jim Mulholland - Fred was a hard living, cigarette smoking, beer drinking, God cursing truck driver who lived down the street from us in Fountain Square.  He was our neighbor and I liked him.

Not immediately.  We were initially suspicious of each other.  He probably thought me another one of those pious preachers, certain he was headed for hell.  And I'd been taught people that smoked, drank and cursed were heathens.  I was trying to be less judgmental, but I still had prejudices.  For the first few months, we nodded to each other on the street, but that was about it.

September 3, 2006 - Jim Mulholland - Did you know that magicians take an oath to never reveal the secrets of magic to non-magicians?  When I heard that, I was intrigued and did a little research.  Fortunately, the magician's oath isn't a secret.  It reads:
"As a magician I promise to never reveal the secret of any illusion to a non-magician, without first swearing them to the Magician's Oath. I promise never to perform any illusion for any non-magician, without first practicing the effect until I can perform it well enough to maintain the illusion of magic".
Once sworn to this oath, one is considered a magician, and is expected to live up to this promise. A magician who reveals a secret, either purposely or through insufficient practice, is often shunned by other magicians. For example, the magicians Penn and Teller, though quite successful, are widely disliked by their peers for revealing the secrets of magic during their shows.