Blog posts for joy
Empowerment Environment Gratitude Hope joy Second Chances
Walk Out and Look Up
This piece was featured by The Christian Citizen as well as delivered as a sermon at the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in NYC. Today, I’d like to share the secret to life. Where … Read More
Empowerment joy Kindness Laughter Self care
Know Your Worth. Then add Tax.
This piece is a short version of my Pride sermon from Sunday, July 1, 2025 at Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City. I have a granddaughter who, when she was younger, loved to wear … Read More
Empowerment Hope joy Self care
Not Today, Satan!
Some days — most days (these days) — you just feel it. It’s like a disruption in the force, a heaviness, a weight. It can take many different … Read More
Healing the Humbug
This blog is an excerpt from last week’s sermon at Madison Avenue Baptist Church . Given the headlines, the two words that seem most fitting these days are: “Bah, humbug!” That said, while easy to throw … Read More
L’EGGO My EGGO
L’EGGO My EGGO Also delivered as a sermon at Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City on October 27, 2024. Last week during rush hour, I was walking up Madison Ave … Read More
Empowerment Gratitude joy Self care
Sarah’s Purse
I always knew it would be a great day when Sarah Goodson walked through the doors of our church carrying her big purse. Raised during the Depression on … Read More
Hope joy Kindness Religion and Spirituality
A Place Called Grace
This column was also featured as a chapter in my book, “Miracle on 31st Street: Christmas Cheer Every Day of the Year — Grinch to Gratitude in 26 Days!” Some days, I just have an inordinate need for “grace.” And by “grace,” I mean the … Read More
joy Laughter Religion and Spirituality
Preaching Punchlines
Please enjoy a recent interview I did with my publisher Smyth & Helwys on my book Preaching Punchlines. As a trial lawyer turned standup comedian and Baptist minister, Susan Sparks is America’s only female comedian with a pulpit. A North Carolina native, Susan received her B.A. at the … Read More
Empowerment Gratitude Hope joy Second Chances Self care
Eat, Pray, Love . . . at Home
This piece was also featured as a nationally syndicated column with the USA Today Network The Coronavirus has changed everything about our world, including our language. Words that … Read More