Routines are a part of all of our lives. At one time, someone had to remind you to brush your teeth and comb your hair. These were not things you were born doing. You had to learn how and then had to incorporate the practice into your everyday life. Little to any thought is given today to brushing your teeth or combing your hair, and it is such a habit…
Read MoreRemember: Don’t Forget!
As I was reading the Bible this morning, I came again to the book of Judges. Early in the book, we are told that Joshua has died. It is always difficult for folks to lose a leader. For so long, they have followed Joshua’s leadership that they could hardly imagine what life would be like without Joshua around. It is easy to depend on familiar people to give us a…
Read MoreI Don’t Know What To Do
Today is a time that few, if any, of us have ever experienced. Even the bravest find they are moving confidently forward, all the while knowing they do not know where they are going exactly! It is time to take a deep breath and be candid and confess: “I am not really sure, but I think it is this way.” After all, we can not sit down and give up.…
Read MoreHow to Handle Temptation
Temptation is seemingly everywhere. You cannot let down your guard; it will strike at the least opportune times. If you think you are immune, you must remember Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Before Jesus performed a miracle or preached a sermon, He was led by the Spirit into the desert/wilderness to be tempted by Satan. This event comes immediately after Jesus was baptized…
Read MoreGod is in the Details..in spite of what you have heard!
There is this verse in the book of Deuteronomy: “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Fear is so debilitating. Anxiety, apprehension, and fear have defeated more people, deflated more dreams, discouraged more plans than perhaps any other source. The people of God had been enslaved in Egypt for so long no one had a memory of what freedom really felt like!…
Read MoreAt Home with…
The first part of Colossians 3:16 says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..” The word translated home is the word used to be welcome or to feel comfortable and at home. In other words, there is no place like home. Home is where we can be ourselves. Though the home is considered a loving and nurturing place, it is also a place for correction as well as…
Read MoreSmall is the new big!
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (Zechariah 4:6). Often we think to be noticed or even make progress, we have to do big things in huge ways with enormous amounts of effort. Yet in this verse, God is applauding and extolling the people for a small beginning step in a mighty long project…
Read MoreHere We Go
We can start over and change anytime, we feel the need, and there is something about a new year that speaks of new beginnings. It is a natural division visited upon us by the calendar. The way it so happens toward the end of the year, we in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas, and the New Year in around a five-week period. After partying and eating and…
Read MoreNearing the End of A Year that seemingly will not end.
There have been a few memorable years in my life but none have been nearly as challenging as this present year for me personally or professionally. Beginning a little over a year ago my wife and I experienced a few challenges so imagine our surprise when we greeted 2020 and hoped it would be a fresh start after experiencing some difficult times in 2019. Each of us has stories several…
Read MoreThe Problem of forgetting
As a young pastor, I went to see a long-time parishioner. She lived in a nursing facility in a “memory-care unit” At that time, I do not recall having any experience with people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. This lady was sitting by herself in a chair, staring off into the distance. In my ignorant exuberance, I asked her, “do you know who I am?” She looked at me, intently…
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