Last Sunday I was privileged to participate in burning the mortgage at Wedgewood United Methodist Church in Akron, Ohio. I was the Senior Pastor at Wedgewood for 21 years. We worked together to grow the church in numbers, ministry, and finally, by an addition that doubled the size of the physical church. In order to …
From Worship Experiences
Persistent Prayer and the Big No
I am a big believer in persistent prayer. I believe that prayer changes things, sometimes even changing God’s mind about something. Through prayer we can move mountains. Prayer changes the person who prays and the person who is being prayed for. In his teachings, Jesus tells us time and again that we should keep praying. …
Learning from the Christ Church Labyrinth
As I mentioned before, I have been walking the Christ Church labyrinth during Lent. Today I wanted to share with you some things I was learning from the labyrinth. I walk the labyrinth three times a week on my days off. I thought I might get tired of it, but I have actually enjoyed it …
Christ Church Frederica, Episcopal
This last Sunday I attended worship at Christ Church Frederica, Episcopal, for the first time. Christ Church’s property adjoins Fort Frederica National Monument, so its location is very convenient. It has an 8 a.m. service which means that I can attend worship and still get to work on time. I could have been attending this …
Prayer Labyrinth at Christ Church
Christ Church, the Episcopal church next to the RV sites at Fort Frederica, built a Prayer Labyrinth. I have been taking advantage of this way of praying when I take my morning walks on our days off. I have not been attending worship on Sunday mornings since we came to Georgia. Tom and I work …
Away in a Manger, A Way in a Manger
“Away in a Manger” is one of my favorite hymns (songs). I sing it all year, not just at Christmas time. The words are simple and yet I feel them in my heart every time I sing them. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet …
Love Like Jesus
I was poking around in a seasonal gift shop this last week, and I saw a decorative sign that really struck a chord with me. At the moment, it is the only Christmas decoration on display at our house. “Dance like Frosty Shine like Rudolph Give like Santa Love like Jesus.” I’ve had a hard …
Sunset and Moonrise at Ottawa Beach
On a beautiful evening in September, Tom and I walked down to Ottawa Beach to see the sunset. The day had been clear and warm and the evening promised more of the same, with no clouds in the sky. I took my “good” camera (not my cell phone) hoping to get some really good pictures …
Good Soil in the Parable of the Sower
Pastor Matt has been preaching on the Parable of the Sower during the month of August. It has been a good series with plenty of things to think about. I especially liked his final sermon on the series, which talked about the good soil and producing fruit. The Parable of the Sower is a familiar …
Vacation Bible School at Lewis Center UMC
Last week I spent every evening volunteering at Vacation Bible School at Lewis Center United Methodist Church. I spent many hours at Vacation Bible School when I was a pastor, but rarely had a specific job. Because Tom and I are spending an uncharacteristic summer in Ohio, I was able to volunteer to be part …