I hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day and got to spend it with some women that you love. My Mothers Day was great but was even better because I enjoyed an entire Mothers Day Weekend! Not just one day – but three days to celebrate love and family and mothers. We started our Mothers …
From Worship Experiences
Communion Sunday at Lewis Center UMC
Last Sunday Tom and I returned to Lewis Center United Methodist Church. It was Communion Sunday, as are most first Sundays in United Methodist Churches. The sermon went perfectly with Communion as Rev. Tom Hanover talked about “What’s in Your Hands?” I was pretty impressed that Rev. Tom didn’t even mention “You’re in Good Hands” …
Childrens Service at Lewis Center United Methodist
For the second year, Tom and I attended the Childrens Service at Lewis Center United Methodist. We have been attending Lewis Center when we are in Ohio and enjoying this lively congregation very much. Nothing says life in a church better than the children. So the church is especially life and joy-filled for the Childrens …
Complaining Less Lenten Discipline
This year for Lent I gave up complaining. I don’t usually give up something for Lent – I usually try to add some spiritual discipline. But as I read the “fruit of the spirit” list and prayed about what to add, I was convicted. Although I usually consider myself to be a “glass plenty full” …
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!
My absolute favorite holy day is Easter. As a pastor I love this culmination of all the work and toil of Lent. I love the joyous crescendo of Easter after the solemnity of Holy Week. Celebrating resurrection so close to the finality of death is a joy that never grows old. And my absolute favorite …
Wedding Cake for Communion
I’m sure you have seen, as I have, a picture of a beautiful wedding cake. Maybe you remember your wedding cake and how you had to have one that was just right. Perhaps you have been to a wedding with a really spectacular cake. Some of them are so beautiful that you feel like you …
Resistance to the Beast
My devotional book for the week is “Inspired” by Rachel Held Evans. I reviewed her book, “Searching for Sunday” in January. “Inspired” is a different kind of book. It is a Biblical Scholar meets storyteller book. The ideas are mostly scholarship that I have been dealing with since seminary (a long time ago). But Rachel’s …
St Simons United Methodist Church, Georgia
Last week, Tom and I were able to attend worship for the first time since January. As the only living history volunteers at Fort Frederica, we have been working every Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we had a big event, with another one Sunday evening, so we took Sunday morning off and went to church. Instead …
Quotes from “The Cost of Discipleship” by Bonhoeffer
I have been reading “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer for my devotional time in the morning. Reading this book slowly is a blessing because there is so much to think about in it. I think this is my third or fourth time through the book. It is more powerful because I know it …
Vertigo on the Straight Gate and Narrow Way
In Matthew 7:14, Jesus says, “Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV).” When I think about this straight gate and narrow way, I usually envision a narrow, but even path on level ground. A place I can stroll along without getting lost or …