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I had just taken my first pastorate at Bethel Baptist Church. It was a wonderful church filled with loving people who allowed a fresh-out-of-seminary pastor to get his feet wet in the real world. The members embraced my wife and me as part of their family. They tolerated some less than stellar preaching with grace Continue reading

Often when we go out for dinner the restaurant will provide a wine list along with the menu. From time to time, the server will suggest a particular wine that either goes with the meal we have ordered or one that is at a special price that evening. I don’t know that I’ve ever ordered Continue reading

Odds are pretty good that you have a few mirrors in your house. They are used to safely shave, put in contact lenses, or carefully apply makeup. You may stop to take a quick looking into one before walking out the door. Mirrors are useful to see if you hair is in place, your tie Continue reading

I have never been a fan of Woody Allen. I know he is supposed to be some kind of cinematic genius but I never really “got it” when it came to his work. His off-screen escapades don’t do much to engender me to him either. I recently read a quote of his, however, that helps Continue reading

A fictional story that is all too real… I am planning on visiting your church Sunday. It took me three months to build up the courage. You see, I haven’t attended church in a long time…not even on Easter and Christmas. I’m not proud of that. It wasn’t how I was raised. It just kind Continue reading

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