“Independencitis” But Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord … [Read more…]
“Change My Heart, O God” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said,” everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.“ Mark 14:35-36 I don’t think I’m the … [Read more…]
A Good Reminder Earlier this week I was driving home for lunch, which I do most days, and I noticed a police car behind me. I don’t know about you, but every time a police car is behind me, I get anxious. I immediately checked to make sure I wasn’t going more than 3-4 miles … [Read more…]
“Active Faith” Several years ago, the Missouri Annual Conference of the UMC (the grouping of United Methodist Churches in MO) adopted the following mission statement: The Missouri Annual Conference exists to lead congregations to lead people to an active faith in Jesus Christ. When I first encountered this mission statement, I was intrigued by the … [Read more…]
“Devotional” No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other…” Matthew 6:24 “Read this!” Sara said to me as she placed a devotional book in my hands while I was eating breakfast. “This was my devotional this … [Read more…]
Confessions of the Pastor’s Wife: Hope I have to be honest…my soul has been heavy lately. The divisive political cycle, the continued inequity, the screaming of Earth in frustration of what humanity has done and is doing to the sacred majesty of God’s own creation…not to mention a global pandemic that makes every decision fraught … [Read more…]
“I Dreamed A Dream” (Jesus) called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-3 The other day was the first day of school, which means first day … [Read more…]
Being Mr. Right Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2: 3-5 One of the most … [Read more…]
My wonderfully talented and insightful wife, Sara, has maintained a blog for the past 13 or so years titled “Confessions of the Pastor’s Wife.” Here she shares reflections about life, faith, and authenticity. Every now and then I will share her writings in this space as she has such a wonderful way with words and … [Read more…]
“Lessons Learned” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone teaches it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31 One of the many lessons … [Read more…]