Personal Pieces

Today, we celebrated “Christmas in July” at our pastoral charge. I think the recipient of an amazing gift was me. After concluding the first worship celebration; a congregant came and said, “Rev. Takouhi, thank you for being SO REAL”. I accepted his words, thanked him and got ready to go on to the second point to lead the second worship celebration of the day. As I was driving, I remembered the very first time I heard Karoline Lewis, at the Festival of Homiletics (Nashville 2013). Her sermon/lecture was about the Gospel of John, her favourite. To this day, I still … Read more

Today in conversation we were discussing thunderstorms and all the havoc it causes when it arrives and shakes our foundation, turning everything upside down – even to our core. One person shared with me that when she was young her father used to tell her that thunder is God bowling in heaven. When she sees lightning that means God has hit a strike. Very simply, I chimed in and shared that when we were young, before the Civil War in Lebanon, at every lightning strike, my sisters, brother and I said, “Smile, God is taking a picture of you.” Of … Read more

When are we going to wake up and realize life is a gift to us and in return we must offer life to others. No exception of who they are. We say “Belief” is what we need Will leave everything to God. Take the word apart and move around one letter and it becomes, “Be Life”. This life is not a competition or a race to fame and fortune: How many followers, how many tweets. It is not a power trip to see who can oppress, repress and dominate – they too do not live forever on this earth, you … Read more

When I was driving home on Sunday June 5th from celebrating two wonderful worship services and delivering the sermon for the Halladay Burial Place’s annual memorial service, the following crossed my mind. When the time comes that we each enter our eternal rest, God is NOT going to ask what type of relations did you have: Straight or  Same Gender. I believe, God is going to say, “Welcome into your rest, my good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21. My Prayer is that we spend more time in Loving, Caring, and Uplifting one another, rather than criticizing others for not living … Read more

There are those who do not love us. However, GOD LOVES EVERYONE…

 “There is NO Perfection in Life, however, when we stay Rooted Deep in the Source of Perfect Love, we Learn, Grow, Blossom and Transform; Not just ourselves but the world around us.”  Blessings to You All!

The Young Armenian Girl, who wrote her very first poem, “The Mild Night” on January 14, 1982, could have never imagined that one day she would live in a peace-filled country and say, “My very first poetry book is being published”. In my wildest dreams these words never appeared. However, today, May 1, 2016, 27 days before the fifth anniversary of my ordination into ministry, I am able to say, “By God’s Grace my very first book of Christmas Poetry, Prayers and Blessings; with full page colour photos taken by Gary and I, will be published in September of this … Read more

The Festival of Homiletics, is one of my favourite conferences that I attempt to attend each year. This year it is truly a honour to be asked to lead worship with my colleague, The Rev. Anthony Bailey, at Buckhead Theatre, on May 17. Keep us in your prayers for safe travels and a rejuvenated return home. May we hear  and see the visions of the Holy One to guide us; and continue the work of \\\”Prophetic Preaching in Times of Change\\\”.