Last Sunday in church we sang “Come Jesus Come” by Stephen McWhirter (2020). When I got home I did an internet search for the song and it’s writer/singer. I found a great performance of the song by Stephen McWhirter with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and, I found McWhirter’s powerful testimony. Take the time […]
3160) Two Pretty Good Songs Read More »
The congregation I am a member of has called a new pastor. Today he will preach in our church for the first time. Our current pastor is retiring after faithfully leading these people for 35 years. The Call Committee has been planning, searching, and interviewing candidates for over a year and a half.
3121) Seeking the Perfect Pastor Read More »
Each New Year’s Day, as does each birthday, brings with it the unsettling reminder that another year is gone. I would guess that everyone (after a certain age, anyway) thinks about that at least a little bit. We get only so many years here, and these annual reminders seem to come around faster
3111) A Psalm, a Hymn, and a Prayer for New Year’s Day Read More »
In three previous meditations I have expressed my enthusiasm for and appreciation of The John 10:10 Project ( https://thejohn1010project.com/ ). I hope you have taken the time to view some of their 200 wonderful videos. They specializing in portraying the wonders of God’s amazing creation, but they explore other subjects as well. All
3101) Visualizing Christmas Read More »
Don’t miss the videos at the end– especially the first one! It was December 2019 and Lisa Clow was not at all in the Christmas spirit. It had been a difficult year and a half, and she was struggling. Finances had been a problem, she suffered a miscarriage, and some troubled relationships left
3099) Oh Come, All You Unfaithful Read More »
One of the best-loved Christmas carols is Joy to the World. The song begins with “Joy to the world, the Lord has come; let earth receive its King;” and then we sing, “Let every heart prepare him room.” Prepare him room, it says, or, make room for Jesus. The phrase brings to mind
A while back an old friend told me he didn’t go to church anymore. He said, “It’s the same old thing: ‘things are bad now,’ the preacher always says, ‘but someday Jesus will return and then everything will be better.’ I’ve heard it all before.” My friend knows I am a
3078) Advent… Again Read More »
************************************** One of the best known of all hymn verses is what is often called the Doxology, written in 1674 by Englishman Thomas Ken (1637-1711): Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Many
3055) An Illegal Hymn Read More »
By N. T. Wright (1948- ), Simply Christian, 2006, Harper Collins, page 123. I use the word “church” with a somewhat heavy heart. I know that for many of my readers that very word will carry the overtones of large, dark buildings, pompous religious pronouncements, false solemnity, and rank hypocrisy. But there is no easy
In my forty years as a pastor, I performed dozens of weddings and presided at hundreds of funerals. Very early in my ministry, I realized I preferred doing funerals. Funerals are sad, and weddings are happy; but I am a preacher and I am not there to reflect the mood of the day.
2944) The Purpose of a Funeral Sermon Read More »
