“Washed Away” What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Noting but the blood of Jesus. O precious is the flow that makes me bright as snow; No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.” “Nothing but the Blood” Robert Lowry, 1876 … [Read more…]
“Upon Further Review” As you probably know, I’m a big sports fan – specifically baseball and football (and hockey, and golf, and …). I must admit, as a sports fan, I describe myself as a bit of a purist. Each time I hear about rules changes, I am skeptical and resistant. I have the “if … [Read more…]
“Back to School” I don’t think I realized it when I was a kid, but I really like learning. When I was younger, it was practically required to hate school. First, we were forced to go, didn’t have any say so in the matter. Second, school was (at least in our minds) boring and got … [Read more…]
“Hardened” See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:12-13 It’s been over a week now since … [Read more…]
“Seeing the Good” I’ve shared before that I have a love/hate relationship with social media. While it helps keep people connected and provides opportunities to share celebrations and prayer needs, it sure has an ugly side too. The United Methodist Clergy page is no different. All the arguments in society and in the church take … [Read more…]
Confession of the Pastor’s Wife: Dandelion Weeds He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit.” John 15:2 (CEB) On a sunny, muggy, Monday morning, I looked out over our front gardens. The flowers were blooming nicely…vibrant purple, … [Read more…]
“Time to Talk” “Pastor, did you hear …?” “I heard they are going to make us …” “Is it true that the Church is …?” “On the news they said the United Methodist Church is …” There’ve been a lot of rumors going on lately about the current state of the United Methodist Church. I’d … [Read more…]
“Courage” I was reading some of the words of Isaiah the other day– a favorite passage of mine that reminds us of the mission of the Church – Is not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free … [Read more…]
“Earth Day” God so loved the world that God gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.” – John 3:16 I find myself a little surprised to be writing to you today about Earth Day. I’ve never been much of an “environment” person. I want to … [Read more…]
“Darkness” By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours — a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last. When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: “This … [Read more…]