James B. Coats (1901-1961) spent most of his life teaching music in public schools in Mississippi. For over thirty years he was a deacon in the Baptist church, and later answered a call to the ministry. He also wrote several Gospel songs including “A Wonderful Place”, “My Soul Shall Live On”, “I’m Winging My […]
3377) “Where Could I Go But to the Lord?” Read More »
In one of my seminary classes on preaching in the late 1970’s, the professor said we should start a little file of things we hear or read that might be useful in a sermon sometime: stories, quotes, illustrations, memories, prayers, poems, song lyrics, and jokes. He also had some suggestions on how we
3326) A Few Good Songs Read More »
Our country is not what it used to be, and I think we are heading in the wrong direction in many ways. I was a minister for forty years, and I watched church attendance decline and young people abandon their faith; which is the trend all over America. Fewer people are getting married,
3243) A Sign of Hope 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 »
Genesis 1:27-28a (RSV) — So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply…” ******************************* Not everyone chooses to get married. Not everyone who wants to get married gets
3152) Be Fruitful and Multiply Read More »
In Acts 17 Paul is proclaiming the Gospel to some Greek philosophers in the marketplace in Athens. Paul begins the discussion by commenting on the culture around him, connecting with what his listeners are already familiar with. He refers to the many altars, shrines, and idols he saw on his walk around the
3150) Forever Young Read More »
Jelly Roll is not really a pastor, but he certainly gave a powerful sermon at the Grammy Awards last Sunday evening (February 1, 2026). He had just won three of the top music awards, and he gave Jesus Christ the credit for turning his life around. In case you missed it (I always
3148) Pastor Jelly Roll Read More »
Above image: WILL THERE BE CHOCOLATE IN HEAVEN? ************************************* (…continued) Pastor Rob Kemppainen wrote many songs. He wrote for the worship services at his congregation, for his confirmation classes, for his Barbershop Quartet, and just for the fun of it. The six songs below each have a spiritual message, told with winsome and
3106) My Friend Rob and His Music (2/2) Read More »
EXODUS 20:1-4…7-8…12-17: God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or
3090) I. RULES, Excuses, Forgiveness (1/3) Read More »
Ecclesiastes 7:10 says, “Do not ask, ‘Why were the old days better than these?,’ for it is not wise to ask such questions.” Do you ever ask that or wonder that? Do you, perhaps, as the question implies, just take for granted that things were indeed better in the ‘good old
3050) Were the Old Days Better? Read More »
