En·cour·age: to inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten. To give support to; foster: policies designed to encourage private investment. To stimulate growth; spur onward in personal development ________________________ I was 22, far from home, following a dream with my… Continue reading

“He’s a mile wide and an inch deep,” somebody said, when describing a man with interests ranging from music, to philosophy, to motorcycles, to technological gadgets, to God, … and the list goes on. He dabbles in many things but… Continue reading

Sincerely wrong “Snake Salvation” has to be one of the strangest programs on TV. National Geographic Channel follows two snake-handling preachers from Kentucky in their quest for spiritual ecstasy.  They lead highly emotional religious services that include dancing while holding… Continue reading

Life fills up with activities, responsibilities, and obligations that have little or no consequence… if we allow that to happen. Do you frequently tell people, “I just can’t do __________ (fill in the blank) because I am too busy?” You… Continue reading

Phil built one airplane (yes, a real one!) in his garage 10 years ago. Last week he showed me the first pieces he is fabricating into yet another one. The first project took about 5 years to complete and he’s… Continue reading

Demanding perfection; living in love? My childhood was shaped around a form of Christianity that made God – perhaps unintentionally – into a feared Being that watched me carefully.  While I was taught that He was loving, I also came… Continue reading

“It’s so complicated,” she cried, “I just cannot understand what the Lord wants from me.”  The woman was going through a difficult time in life, to be sure.  She was without peace, confused and torn. She was filled with guilt. … Continue reading

One of my congregants calls me “Pastor Punctuality.”  Time is important to me. I am always aware of schedules and deadlines.  Being late is something I abhor, so I generally arrive 15 minutes early, which to be is ‘just on… Continue reading

There are hundreds of ‘reasons’ to live in a full state of anxiety. Just turn on the news. Terrorists are regrouping.  People with mental health problems are shooting up our cities. Multiple health problems could develop at any time in… Continue reading

Familiarity is everywhere today. Most people ignore the formalities that once governed our interactions. The generation previous to mine felt a real need to keep those ‘rules.’ My Dad wouldn’t have stepped into church without a dark suit and a… Continue reading