by Dr. Blake | May 23, 2022 | Uncategorized
About a week ago, I gave my last official report to the pastors and congregations I have served for the last eleven years. I entered pastoral ministry in late 1981 and, forty-one years later, had the opportunity to say goodbye and thank you. I was once again reminded...
by Dr. Blake | Mar 27, 2022 | Wesley's Horse
When I was young the denominational missionary magazine was entitled “Other Sheep” which is taken from the words of Jesus John 10: 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that...
by Dr. Blake | Mar 16, 2022 | Wesley's Horse
How often do we journey over, across, and through thresholds in our lives? In my life, I have crossed from infancy to childhood, teenage years, college, adult, husband, father, pastor, and so forth. A simple place to start is with the dictionary definition of...
by Dr. Blake | Dec 31, 2021 | Wesley's Horse
2021 has been a challenging year at our house. So challenging that I have been on a hiatus from blogging. New Year’s eve seems an appropriate day to get back in the saddle. At our house, we have had two parents pass away and my wife has experienced a return of...
by Dr. Blake | Aug 4, 2021 | Wesley's Horse
Change happens quickly, planned and unplanned, expected and unexpected, good and not so good, but it will happen! I have not written a blog post for over six weeks. Change has come to our household, and seemingly it has come quite suddenly. In a month, my wife’s...
by Dr. Blake | Jun 11, 2021 | Wesley's Horse
There is a verse tucked into Psalm 73 it is located at the 28th verse: “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” As I think...
by Dr. Blake | Jun 1, 2021 | Wesley's Horse
It was a Sunday evening after the pastor’s sermon; I went forward to pray. I was a young teenager struggling with all the drama and angst that could besiege a young heart. The weight of the world seemed enormous, and I wondered if I would be able to survive and...
by Dr. Blake | May 16, 2021 | Wesley's Horse
I was recently on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University for a trustee meeting and graduation weekend. Whenever I am on campus, it causes me to reflect on the goodness of God. I first visited the campus when I was in the eighth grade over fifty years ago. I well...
by Dr. Blake | Apr 18, 2021 | Wesley's Horse
Gratitude seems to be a boundary marker for our lives. An attitude of gratitude seems to color everything in our world. Kindness, grace, peace, and a sense of calm are just a few of the attributes that are evident in the lives of people who exercise gratitude. The...
by Dr. Blake | Mar 24, 2021 | Wesley's Horse
Let’s face it, we have all fallen victim to feeling sorry for ourselves. There is an interesting quote by John Gardiner “Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates...