On Sunday morning, after our congregational prayer, the people join me in saying “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ,  His only Son, our Lord…”  The declaration always fills me… Continue reading

It’s Monday and you, Christian, have an awesome privilege and responsibility.  You are going to represent Jesus to your family, your friends, your world. A friend who has walked through deep disappointment in her life, told a story of an… Continue reading

I spent a couple of hours at the Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts yesterday. The Shakers, a religious sect founded in 1774, came together around the belief that they would usher in the Millennium and see the return of Christ.… Continue reading

In the second half of my life the quality of being ‘authentic’ has become one of the most important things to me.  Hopefully I do not use that an excuse to be rude, obnoxious, or selfish. But, I don’t play… Continue reading

Nearing the end of our Wednesday Fellowship, we were about to read the story most often called “The Prodigal Son” that is found in the 15th chapter of Luke. Chris startled me speaking up from the back row. “Pastor, just… Continue reading

As he walked next to a cemetery in a Benedictine monastery in New Mexico’s desert Eugene Peterson noted an empty grave.  “Did one of the brothers just die?” he asked one of the monks. “No, that’s for the next one!”… Continue reading

If you were told, with a unquestionable certainty, that you were going to receive a windfall of wealth in 5 years, how would it affect your life? You would start to think and plan for it!  That home you always… Continue reading

I argued with God for a while not too long ago. (Writing that line makes it seem more trivial than it was.)  Like Job of old I asked Him if He really was as good as He says. I argued… Continue reading

It was 2 am, time when I should have been experiencing the deepest sleep, that kind that makes us healthy and energetic, but instead I was staring into the dark. My mind would not settle and anxious thoughts tumbled over… Continue reading

“How could she do this? Is she really walking with Christ?” My indignation boiled over. Was I right to be concerned? Perhaps. Were her actions consistent with a follower of Christ? I do not believe that they were.  But, my… Continue reading