It is a delight for my wife and I to watch the hummingbirds gathering nectar from the flowers in our backyard garden. They are so small, so fragile, so fast, and so beautiful. In the below video, you will see that they are even more magnificent than you could have ever imagined. A […]
3248) Dancing Rainbows Read More »
A Methodist minister tells this story… A family of inactive members in his parish lived right next door to the church. The yard was a disgrace. Wrecked cars and discarded appliances littered the place. The grass was seldom mowed. The husband was a disgrace. He drank too much and rumors were that he
3247) Not All Churches are the Same Read More »
Max McLean (1953- ) is a stage actor, writer, and producer. I first heard of him in 2009 when he received national acclaim for his performance of Mark’s Gospel. This award–winning stage production consisted of nothing more than Max McLean reciting the entire Gospel of Mark on stage. There are no other actors
3242) Word for Word Read More »
In Ecclesiastes 5:2 Solomon says, “Do not be quick with your mouth; do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth.” Or, we might say, “God is big and you are little, so show a little respect.” Every once
(…continued) Funeral for Ora Casdorph, March 31, 1997, Stover, Missouri: This is a difficult sermon for me to preach, difficult because I did not know Mr. Casdorph well at all. I visited him a few times at the request of his sister, my friend and parishioner, Mabel Schupp. For
3198) Two Old Friends (2/2) Read More »
In my forty years as a pastor I visited many people in their last years, months, and days. Many of these people were in nursing homes, or were shut-ins in their own home. For some, my monthly visit would be their only visitor. These people, who at one time were busy raising families, farming
3197) Two Old Friends (1/2) Read More »
Above: Going to Church, 1960 (I’m the one wearing the black hat) ————————————- Clayton was a teenager in my congregation several years ago. He was a good boy and always did what his parents told him to do. His parents told him to go along to church with them every Sunday morning, and
3192) Making Memories Read More »
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 »
