Lifestyles
Be still and listen to God
The threat of COVID-19 looms over everyone causing enforced isolation for some and for others, the stress of…
Lifestyles
Coronavirus and the Church
We’ve been exposed to a harsh new word over the past few weeks – the coronavirus or COVID-19.…
Lifestyles
Prayers and poverty
How can we better understand what it means to live in poverty? A church leader sent a list…
Lifestyles
A Widow’s gift
Jesus watched people dropping gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in…
Lifestyles
Preparing for Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter Sunday. The traditional…
Lifestyles
Too busy to listen
I was attending a leadership retreat where we were asking: “Are we doing too much busy work and…
Lifestyles
Shoveling snow became community event
Years ago, our neighborhood was blasted with approximately 18 inches of snow: the worst storm in many years.…
Lifestyles
Worry and softball
Jesus says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble…
Lifestyles
When there is no light, follow God
And I, I’m glad I didn’t know The way it all would end The way it all would…
Lifestyles
Milkshakes and laughter
The morning devotional said “Learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don’t take yourself or your circumstances so…
Lifestyles
2020 begins with crisis
2020 started fast and furious with one crisis following another. Devastating fires throughout Australia. A series of earthquakes…
Lifestyles
The general
What is it like to be an American soldier, stationed overseas? We see news reports, but how do…
Lifestyles
God impression
At the dinner table in front of each of us was a beautiful 12-inch-high sculpture of an angel.…
Lifestyles
You have a special story to tell
Christmas should be a time of spiritual renewal for everyone. After all, we are celebrating Jesus’ birthday. But…
Lifestyles
Christmas? Where is Jesus
A writer on a television variety show wanted to do an old-fashioned Christmas. Everyone thought he was nuts.…
Lifestyles
Spiritual food toward better health
For a children’s message, I decided to line up 10 suitcases and attempt to carry them all at…
Lifestyles
Christmas checklist … confession?
Let’s see if I’ve got my Christmas to do list done: • Put up the Christmas tree —…
Lifestyles
Barbecued encouragement
To savor the best barbecue in the world, you just have to know how to get there: located…
Lifestyles
Worry and thanksgiving
Worry is like a rocking chair — it will give you something to do but get you nowhere.…
Lifestyles
Confession and the flying basketball goal
Like everyone, preachers make mistakes, mess up, screw up and even commit a few grievous sins. Just ask…
Lifestyles
Time to laugh
I asked during a worship service — “Are there any prayer needs today?” One person mentioned a neighbor…
Lifestyles
Church bazaar
Mell and I often traveled to bazaars. We enjoyed the atmosphere as well as meeting people at various…
Lifestyles
Clues from a worn Bible
When asked to speak for someone at a funeral, I look for clues to help me say something…
Lifestyles
‘1-800-2HEAVEN?’
Children ask interesting questions. Many years ago, my 11-year-old son, walked into the office and asked: “Dad, why…
Lifestyles
Courage and foolishness
Courage and foolishness: The difference between the two is really not that great. What is courage to some…
Lifestyles
Cooking and Fred Brown
Just before graduating high school, I secured a summer job at a local hotel to work in maintenance, which means,…