“Outside the Church” Last Sunday I shared the story of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, being told in church and after church that he was no longer welcome to preach in their buildings. After these less than warm receptions, and seeing some successful ministries to the masses in the open air, Wesley … [Read more…]
“Who Are We?” If you stand for nothing, Burr, what will you fall for?” “Who are you? Who is this kid and what’s he gonna do?” I must admit, in our family, we are big fans of the Broadway show Hamilton. It mixes our enjoyment of history with Broadway and presents the material in an … [Read more…]
“Do you need anything?” I was going through my inbox today and I came across this devotion. The message really resonated with me, and I think it’s a concept many people struggle with from time to time. It’s so much easier to help others than to ask for help ourselves. Asking for help can seem … [Read more…]
“Getting Ready” Everything is coming together, and it is almost that time. Class schedules have been received and extensively examined. Backpacks have been upgraded. Notebooks, folders, pencils and highlighters are all gathered and sorted out for each of them. New clothes have been purchased (from the men’s department now instead of the boy’s department, I … [Read more…]
“Grace? She Died Thirty Years Ago!” Around our house, rarely does a week go by that we don’t quote National Lampoons Christmas Vacation at least once. One of our favorite characters is Aunt Bethany, the hard of hearing aunt who is the family’s memory, even though her memory is fading. This particular quote takes place … [Read more…]
“In Action” We’ve become big fans of DC monuments after the sun has set. One of my favorites is sitting on the steps of the Capital and thinking about everything that taken place there. Last night, while sitting outside the Senate side of the building, we saw a group of people standing up for something … [Read more…]
“Fair Thoughts” By the time you read this weekly update, I’ll be somewhere in Indiana or so on our family road trip. This week has been a blur and I don’t have much of a reflection for you today, but I did want to share an experience I had this week. Wednesday morning, I spent … [Read more…]
“Throwaway Comments” I’ve just returned from a week in Mitchell, South Dakota at the orientation for the Practical Church Leadership program I am enrolled in for the next year. I gathered with about 25 or so other pastors from throughout the Midwest to explore utilizing technology, developing resilience, and leading in difficult times. We packed … [Read more…]
“Ripple-Effect” Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to hum, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the … [Read more…]
Last Friday morning, news broke of the ruling handed down by the Supreme Court in the case of Dobbs vs Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This decision has resulted in a change in the laws regarding the legality of abortion. I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t have a strong opinion on this issue … [Read more…]