Jimmy

It would be difficult to estimate the number of funerals I have officiated or assisted in over the past 24 years. I can tell you most assuredly, it has been far more than I would have preferred. Funerals are always a challenge for pastors, but the challenge is not always the same. Sometimes the person… Continue reading

According to Protestant Reformer Martin Luther, “True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.” In other words, there is a very real danger of being proud that you are humble. I have both witnessed this and, sadly, done it.… Continue reading

Perhaps you heard the collective groan in your neighborhood on Sunday morning. You and your neighbors had dutifully gone around changing clocks in your house on Saturday night – except the one on the VCR that you haven’t figured out yet. Spring forward! It sounds so pleasant, doesn’t it? Then your Sunday morning alarm goes… Continue reading

        So often I live my life skimming the surfaceNever plunging into its depthsNever experiencing the exhilarationOf really, truly living. The sun rises and setsYet I miss the brilliance of a thousand colorsMy breath is not taken awayMy heart does not skip a beat. Oh that I would pause and take it… Continue reading

Grace and mercy are words that we find as we open the pages of our Bibles. The Apostle Paul uses them quite often and with good reason; grace and mercy are an essential part of our understanding of God’s love and of the salvation we receive in Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to the church in… Continue reading

As I climbed into my truck today I got quite a surprise. Under the wiper on the driver’s side I found a letter. Oddly enough, it was from me to me. Even more peculiar is that it was dated tomorrow. I was understandably suspicious. Who had ever heard of such a thing? But it was… Continue reading

Sin always has a price and that price is always higher than advertised. You can take that statement to the bank. God’s Word is clear, “…be sure your sin will catch up with you.” (Numbers 32:23, HCSB) Temptation is always at hand. Christians have an enemy that is always trying to entrap and entice them.… Continue reading

This week we celebrate Valentine’s Day. It is a day that honors romantic love. Over 200 million roses will be given. Over 180 million cards will be exchanged. And more than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will gifted to that special someone. In all, more than $13 billion (yes, that is with a “b”)… Continue reading

Each of us makes decisions everyday. Often we give very little thought to the consequences that we could face because of those decisions. It would not be completely accurate to say that you are the sum total of your decisions, but it wouldn’t be too far off base either. Sure, the decisions of other people… Continue reading

God is just. God is forgiving. How does that all work together? Does God’s forgiveness negate His justness? Does God simply forget His just nature in order to exercise His forgiving nature? God is indeed a just God. If we want to understand God’s just nature, we begin with His holiness. In both Isaiah and… Continue reading