The phone rang just as I was settling down for the cold wintry evening.  The voice on the other end expressed a need, one that could not wait. Could I just say no? Would I overcome my weariness and go?… Continue reading

A catch phrase that I heard often as a young preacher was ‘I’d rather burn out for God than rust out.’  The intent was laudable, urging diligence in a cause of paramount importance. Souls needed to be rescued. Suffering people… Continue reading

Sunday was a day full of activities- prayer, preaching, people, and yes, problems!  In the afternoon, I found out that an entry porch at one of our church’s buildings had collapsed when heavy snow pulled it down.  Parking lots were… Continue reading

Recent encounters with government agencies made me know, first-hand, the many ways our society turns us into nameless, faceless objects.  Someone else was ‘in control’ of my life and that they cared little, if at all, about me.  From that… Continue reading

The dictionary defines resentment as “feeling displeasure or indignation at (a person, act, remark, etc.) from a sense of injury or insult.”  Resentment turns innocent people as adversaries. It eats at a person’s heart. Left unchallenged, it robs the person… Continue reading

When you’re unhappy or distressed, what do you want most? Would a new job bring satisfaction? How about more money? Or, maybe you are convinced that your spouse is the problem; if he would just be more involved with you?… Continue reading

An email notifies me of a deposit, my bi-weekly compensation from the church. The balance grows. Another email reminds me that the mortgage payment will be deducted. The funds in my account will reside in my checking account just for… Continue reading

Getting dragged or pushed out of our sweet spot in life can make us miserable inside and out! When we’re stressed, some of us look for “comfort food.” A hotdog or mac ‘n cheese can carry us back to another… Continue reading

My Dad was a pastor.  He cried a lot. I am a pastor. I cry a lot, too!  Years ago, when he prayed the pastoral prayer during Sunday worship and wept, I was embarrassed by his emotion. “Why can’t a… Continue reading

Today’s CoffeeBreak is guest authored by Eric Hoke, the youth pastor at Faith Discovery Church. He published the following on his own blog. It merits our attention. I would say, “Enjoy,” but more likely you’ll wince as you read his… Continue reading