Columns
Preacher Pride
“Are you the preacher?” the voice asked over the phone. “Yes, I am.” I replied. “Why do you ask?” “A few weeks ago, I was ...
“Are you the preacher?” the voice asked over the phone. “Yes, I am.” I replied. “Why do you ask?” “A few weeks ago, I was ...
We are all placed on Earth and called by God for a purpose. But, what is our purpose? How do we find out? What do ...
I was a little slow entering the computer age, but it didn’t take long to see the potential. One benefit was learning how to use ...
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted ...
I indeed baptize you with water … but He … will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. —Matthew 3:11 Have I ever come to ...
Meghann Cotter grew up at Fredericksburg UMC. On the way home from a youth mission, Meghann asked her youth leader why the group had to ...
When Popeye the Sailor needed help, there was always a can of spinach nearby to provide a supernatural fix. It’s tempting to think of God ...
The following Bible story is not one people usually remember, yet it is this story from Chapters 6 and 7 of 2 Kings in the ...
The following Bible story is not one people usually remember, yet it is this story from Chapters 6 and 7 of 2 Kings in the ...
This first week in July, when we celebrate the birth of our nation, is an interesting time for me to begin as pastor of Fredericksburg ...
Recently I shared Facebook responses to the question, “Why don’t people go to church?” Most of the comments fell in these general categories: • We ...
Several years ago, I posted a question on Facebook: Why are so many people, especially young people, walking away from church and/or God? I received ...
The Rev. Ronna L. Swartz was to lead a communion service for the leadership team of an upcoming Emmaus Walk. Holy Communion is always an ...
This week, we celebrated Memorial Day, a time to remember and honor those who died defending our country. Several years ago, Jan Reger, reminded me ...
The United Methodist Church I serve and love is going through difficult times. Delegates from all over the world gathered recently to set policy and ...
For the last four years, our Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, made up of over 1,100 churches, has been led by Bishop Young ...
“Ten Books for Summer” has become an annual tradition. I read a lot and love to recommend books to others. Here are the second five ...
China built the Great Wall stretching thousands of miles to ensure their security from foreign invaders. Yet during the first 100 years after the wall ...
Tim Richards, a writer, pastor and friend, wrote about this experience in his column that presently appears in papers throughout his home state of Missouri ...
Do you remember, “The Little Engine that Could?” A train full of toys, dolls and every kind of thing boys or girls could want is ...
A newspaper ad displayed a photograph of six men carrying a coffin through the doors of a church. The caption read: “Will it take six ...
Every year at this time, I listen to a rock opera popular during my teenage years, “Jesus Christ Superstar.” One song tells the story about ...
A recent devotion listed 10 short, simple prayers. Pause for a few moments and say each prayer out loud. Can you picture yourself using each ...
It’s easy to get consumed with our day-to-day life, but something happens to remind you that whatever you do, whatever your problems, whatever your concerns, ...
Lent as defined by Wikipedia “is a solemn religious observance that begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter ...
My grandfather Blacky asked me to go with him fishing and shrimping. My older cousin laughed and warned: “You’ll be sorry!” Yet everything started smoothly ...
When I was a child our family frequently traveled from Virginia to a small community near Panama City, Fla., to visit our grandparents. Blacky, my ...
If you’re looking for the best ATS wager to make among the 16 NFL games in Week 17,…
As we enter Week 17 of the NFL schedule, which team is on top? We break it all…
After studying the 16 games on the Week 17 card in the NFL, our best bet suggestion is…
In one of the many compelling matchups on the NFL slate in Week 17, the Green Bay Packers…
Elias Lindholm and Aliaksei Protas are two of the top players to keep an eye on when the…