“Steady as she goes” was the captain’s direction to the helmsmen on ships of old, meaning ‘hold this course.’  I have reminded myself of that old phrase many times in the last couple of months. After making the decision to… Continue reading

My email inbox receives at least a half dozen messages a day that announce yet another ‘church growth’ program. Subject lines include leads like this – ‘Pastor, grow your church!’  So much of the material is focused on leadership techniques,… Continue reading

The summer of 1974 is unforgettable for it was then that I first came to love Bev. That girl that first caught my eye became the woman who owned my heart for 41 years.  Ours was much more than a… Continue reading

It’s Monday! Does that make you groan, a reminder that you have to get back to work?  The grind can wear us down. The situation and/or people where we do our work can be difficult. But, (Ah you knew that… Continue reading

Recently someone was criticizing the Christian Church as a waste of resources, serving no visible purpose.  The observation made me think about our mission in this world. The church doesn’t always get it right, sometimes does lose her way when… Continue reading

Yesterday I signed an agreement, a contract. My name, a scribble a line on a piece of paper, indicates a promise, representing my intentions. Barring catastrophe, I will keep my word! Doing what I say, when I say I will… Continue reading

Optimism is sold as the answer to dealing with life. There is much to said for being positive, for looking for the best. Who doesn’t love that song from Little Orphan Annie – “The sun’ll come out tomorrow, bet your… Continue reading

We all get weary, don’t we?  That fatigue can result from hard work, a project that demands sustained effort, or it can come from ongoing pressure and stress. A few hours ago, in the darkness of the early morning hours,… Continue reading

Missionaries were the super-Christians of my childhood church culture!  When a couple came to that little church in the one-street town of Truesdale, Iowa from some exotic place in the big world, it was a great Sunday for me. Most… Continue reading

Are you impressed by God? Silly question, perhaps, but worth asking, I believe. We have tamed Him, explained away His majesty, and made ourselves so familiar with Him that we often lack the proper reverence that brings us to our… Continue reading