Author: C. Alicia Randolph

  The year 1738 was a momentous year for John Wesley.  At the end of 1737, Wesley left the colony of Georgia, where he had failed as a missionary and priest and sailed home to England. He was disheartened and confused about who he was and what he was supposed to do with his life.  He … Continue reading Do Good: Third in Series on Wesley’s Three Simple Rules

There is a story in my family that has been the subject of debate since my brothers and I were children and the debate centers around the question of whether my brother Richard intended bodily harm to my brother Will.  Of course, I, being the best child was not involved in this tragic and willful … Continue reading Do No Harm: Second in a series of Reflections on John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules

Over the course of my life, I have been involved with many churches. Recently, I decided to count just how many churches I have been a part of and I came up with 34 churches that I have been a part of over my life, 35 if I count my grandparents’ church. I have been involved in … Continue reading Call My People to Prayer

On the day after the Presidential election, in 1960, three companions sat down with their 10 cent hamburgers at a Nashville restaurant.  For these companions, this event was a sign: a signof hope that the world in which they lived might recognize them as persons that could make a difference.  Their sign of hope was … Continue reading Signs and more signs

  Each year as mid-January rolls around I begin to think about Martin Luther King Jr, his birthday and the gift that he was to this world.  I wonder what this country would have been like without him. I wonder what my life would have been like without him.  I wonder how I can best write … Continue reading Martin, Martin, and Us

Originally, I wrote this article at the end of 2018 on the fourth day of Christmas, but I publish it at the close of the Day of Epiphany, a day when we think about a star, some Magi, and the flight to Egypt–the rest of the Christmas story.  Peace.  CAR   Today is a dreary … Continue reading The Faces in My Heart

  I have cried this Day I have cried out to the wind and the water And the presence of God’s spirit That I know is here In this lonely and dreary Winter place   Restoration Is my cry Restoration Is my longing A one word Breath prayer That pours from my soul Like the … Continue reading Restoration

  The rain comes In rapid drops That slow From time to time And speed again As if to say “Not this year” They are bold To make an appearance In these water soaked Moments On a night that Should be Crystal clear   It is Solstice night When the darkness Envelops the world And … Continue reading Solstice Night

    One frosty morning An Advent wind Called me outside Into the pre-dawn darkness   It wasn’t a stormy wind But it was strong  And determined In those early morning  Shadows   So I went out  In the darkness And stood Still   The Advent wind  Sang to me Danced around me  Tasseled my … Continue reading The Advent Wind

It is an Advent night, cold and dark and quiet, with an edge of longing darting through my reflections.  International news has caught my attention again and my heart is breaking as I remember and pray.  Earlier today, more violence erupted in our world.  It is a daily occurrence, a moment by moment occurrence, far … Continue reading Advent Longings:  Pondering Strasbourg