During the summer, Tom and I visited Fort Ligonier twice. Both times we went, I spent some time with one particular exhibit in the museum. It is the coat and vest of a British ship captain who was shot in a battle. The bullet passed through his vest, through the back of the jacket, and …
From Worship Experiences
Justice and Liberty for All
When you were a kid did you say the Pledge of Allegiance every day at the beginning of school? I don’t say it much any more, and I recently read it and thought about the words. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it …
Disillusioned: Loving When Others Are Real
I recently read a Christian author’s thoughts on how God is disillusioned with us. This was a startling opinion because the definition of disillusioned is “disappointed in someone or something that one discovers to be less good than one had believed.” But this author went on to say that God doesn’t have any illusions about …
Therefore, We Will Not Fear
What are you afraid of? Tom and I were reading the traditional list of things people are afraid of. The number one fear: public speaking. Neither one of us has this fear, but I have plenty of others. I am afraid of heights. I didn’t used to be, but now I get these urges to …
Weightlifter or 90 Pound Weakling?
As I was reading my devotions this morning, I thought about the ways we have to work our spiritual muscles. If we want to be strong in Christ, we have to practice our spiritual workout. So, if we are growing in Christ, we are building our spiritual muscles. Maybe we even look like a really …
Saints and Sinners: Why Aren’t You a Saint Yet?
In my morning devotionals recently, Oswald Chambers asked the questions, “Why aren’t you a saint yet?” I just laughed the first time I read it, but I’ve come back to it several times since then. Despite the Wesleyan emphasis on going on to perfection, most of the people I meet in churches are not saints. …
Stretched in God’s Hands
I am a person who likes routine. Routine helps me feel like I am in control, even when events are spinning chaotically around me. I could be called a person of regular habits. Some of my routines are such ingrained habits that I occasionally forget that I have done them. Living life on the road …
Leap Tall Buildings with a Single Bound
When I was a kid, I watched Superman reruns on television. I always remember the beginning: “Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings with a single bound!” Of course, as children, my friends and I tried to be Superman. We would tie a towel around our shoulders …
Clear Expectations by God and Others
Sunday night Pastor Don preached at the church service we attend at Asbury United Methodist Church. Pastor Don is not the regular preacher on Sunday nights, so it is always a treat to get to listen to him. His sermon was on clear expectations. He suggested a couple of expectations that God has of us. …
Eyes Fixed Firmly on Jesus
Sometimes things break and we have to fix them. We have to take the car in to be repaired. We call a plumber. to fix a leaky pipe. A marriage is broken when one spouse gets a wandering eye. Sometimes our faith breaks. How do we fix it? By keeping our eyes fixed on God. …