Turning Countless Days into Days that Count
During the early months of 2009, I deployed as a hospital chaplain to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The base commander was Major Gen. Brian Bishop — then a brigadier general. The general was a former USAF Thunderbird pilot, an honest-to-god action hero whose likeness Hasbro toys had reproduced in a $29.95 chiseled, blond-haired “Leader Action
Reading that Inspires Forgiveness
As I watched the relatives of those killed at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist church tearfully express forgiveness toward the suspected killer, I was moved by the profound impact of their narrative. The moment inspired me to use this, my annual column of book recommendations, to commend books that portray mercy and compassion. The essentials of
HEARING VOICES FROM THE SKY
If you read my last two columns, you’ll know that my wife and I sold our five-bedroom McMansion and moved into a 40-year-old doublewide on the south side of Sacramento. Our neighborhood can get a bit dicey, but we made the drastic, yet temporary, move for three reasons, none of which are exactly altruistic:
Bee-boppin’ with iFaith
Everywhere I look these days, I see someone bee-bopping down the street with earbuds connected to their iPhone or whatever brand of smartphone they carry. These amazing devices are about the size of a cigarette box and are capable of storing an entire music collection, along with a library of books and galleries of pictures.
Marriages and their unforeseen complications
This is the season feared by most ministers – wedding season. In fact, most ministers would rather do a funeral than a wedding. No, it’s not because we’d rather see someone die than get married. It’s because funerals are simpler. The biggest requirement in preaching a good funeral sermon is empathy, something that well suits
News Journal columnist Norris Burkes draws band of devotees
By LISA MILLER • News Journal • October 27, 2008 -- One woman said she came to hear Norris Burkes speak because she wanted to see a celebrity. Another woman wanted to hear the kinds of stories he tells in his columns that appear in the News Journal and newspapers around the country. Others wanted
Writer gives a stand-up twist to spiritual message
Burkes delights readers both in column and 2006 book It's fairly easy to coax a laugh out of someone if you rattle off some choice expletives or an off-color joke. But to be graceful and also funny is a rare talent. And when that amusement comes with a reassuring spiritual message, it's divine. Readers of
Norris Burkes flyer to Spiritual Care
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Columnist says tragedy led him to become a chaplain
By Bob Jamieson - bjamieson@stargazette.com Star-Gazette We are better equipped to go through trying times than we think, says Norris Burkes, who will visit the Elmira area Sept. 9 to 15 for a series of appearances to share his experiences as a minister and hospital and military chaplain. Tragedy led Burkes, 50, a Southern Baptist
Meet columnist – McKinley Library
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‘Spirituality’ columnist Norris Burkes visits Staunton
By Christina M. Mitchell/staff • cmitchell@newsleader.com • What’s this? STAUNTON — Syndicated columnist and the Rev. Norris Burkes is entertaining crowds in the Queen City this week. On Sunday, the "Spirituality" columnist spoke with a group at Second Presbyterian Church in Staunton. This morning, he'll be at Mary Baldwin College's Miller Chapel for another public
