Are you sometimes surprised at what comes out of your mouth, or by a thought that enters your conscious mind, or the realization of some part of you kept hidden from view?  There are shadows in us all, some that… Continue reading

The lawn tractor did the mowing of the church lawn for at least 25 years. It is a quality machine but it’s just worn out. Last week, we purchased a shiny new replacement.  Do you ever feel like that old… Continue reading

In 1948, George DeMestral was out hunting in the mountains in France with his long-haired Irish Pointer. The dog disappeared into the brush and came out with burrs from the burdock plant tangled in her coast. He noted that they… Continue reading

Fear is a tool used in politics and preaching to move the masses because it works. People with different ideas are turned into objects of derision. Statistics that are alarming are sensationalized. Thorny challenges are turned into the next ‘end… Continue reading

The current tempest involving England’s royals has caught the attention of many. It does not interest me much as I no real investment in England’s royalty. I am glad to live in this republic where our ideal is that the… Continue reading

Problems, people’s needs, and general concerns seem to love to find me at 2 am! I awaken often at that hour to wonder, ‘what should I do?’ or ‘how will they get through that?’ or ‘why are they making that… Continue reading

I have led more funerals than I can remember in 4 decades of pastoral ministry.  My calling includes sharing God’s wisdom with wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters in their times of grief. God knows I have lived close… Continue reading

Monday afternoon, a day off from ministry for me, while taking care of household chores, a dark mood started to settle over me.  When I am tired and alone I know that I am vulnerable to thoughts that include sorrow,… Continue reading

I have been a Christian for my entire adult life, imperfectly devoted to Christ. In those decades I, like every human being, have known seasons of sickness, death, and disappointment. Sometimes there is wonderful peace and great comfort and sometimes… Continue reading

“I just don’t understand it all.”  I seldom turn on the news anymore which is a huge shift for me, once a news addict. I purposefully ignore politics, another shift.  Yes, it is inarguably true that America has rapidly lurched… Continue reading