Just about 11 months ago, I retired from full-time ministry. I began the journey in late 1981 and retired in May 2022. Regarding retirement, there were some things we expected, and there have some unexpected things as well. Some things we had figured out beforehand, and many we did not. What has gone according to plan? We have developed a hobby or two. We made some new friends. We…
Read MoreEverything I have, I have received!
The Apostle Paul makes this statement in 1 Corinthians 4:7. He talks to a group that feels superior and reminds them of a truth. “What do you have that you have not received?” That is a great question. When you get to the place where you feel pretty assured that you are something special, it would be good to remember Paul’s statement: everything I have, I received. You are…
Read MoreSilent Saturday!
How do you handle silence? Some folks are much more comfortable with silence. Silence after an episode of sorrow, pain, or loss is nearly unbearable. From the heartbreak of the crucifixion to Saturday, it seems not only has everything changed, but none of it is for the better. Imagine Mary enduring the unimaginable loss of her Son and dealing with devastating grief. The disillusioned disciples who had left everything to…
Read MoreI Come To The Garden Alone
After celebrating Passover with his disciples, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He took with Him Peter, James, and John. Jesus was filled with sorrow and was overwhelmed with what was awaiting Him. He asked His friends to keep watch with Him. The picture from the garden is quite dramatic: He is praying to the Father with His face to the ground. His Prayer? “Father, if it…
Read MoreWere You There?
Palm Sunday is past. The entry into Jerusalem, somewhat like a parade amidst the crowds shouting Hosanna, is now a dim memory. A habit I developed years ago was working my way through the Gospel accounts of the events of Holy Week, including Jesus’ teaching, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. The Gospels spend much time recounting the week’s events that changed the world. Though I have known the story for…
Read MoreA little help from my friends
We were made to live in community. We do need each other. There are many reasons for forming friendships. Friendships change and evolve when you are my age and have lived in several places. Since I graduated from high school 49 years ago, I have lost track of my friends from high school. Rather than being friends, they were primarily acquaintances. I was heavily involved in the youth group at…
Read MoreTake Me Out To The Ballgame!
Today Susanne and I will attend the Detroit Tigers’ opening baseball game. This year will be somewhat different. We attended the Tigers’ home openers for many years while pastoring in metro Detroit. Today we will be attending their first game of the season, and it just happens to be at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home of the Tamp Bay Rays. Susanne and I will be sporting our Detroit…
Read MoreRoad Construction Ahead!
Mrs. Blake and I are preparing for our twice-yearly migration pattern: south to north in five weeks and then north to south at the end of summer. This will be our first entire cycle of migration. One thing you always see when driving the highways is ubiquitous “orange barrels.” They seem to sprout up like tulips this time of year. We like the finished project and the accompanying improvements, but…
Read MoreFive Hundred Blog Posts
500! A couple of days ago, I posted my 500th blog article. Since I lived twice in Indianapolis, I thought I would commemorate by including a picture from the Indy 500 race. In late 2014 I decided I would write a couple of blog posts. The origins of Wesley’s Horse came from days working for the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center. The name came to me via Bryon…
Read MoreThey tell me it is Spring
First came the annual time change festivities, the routine: fall-back and spring-ahead. In basketball, it is March madness. Christians are deep into the Lenten season. For most of my life, I lived in the part of the world where there were four distinct seasons, which periodically would all visit on the same day. I now live where seasons do change, just not as dramatically and noticeably. Springtime is a welcome…
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