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I’m not sure how many times I’ve seen “The Wizard of Oz,” but I can remember watching on television as a child. Back then it was quite the spectacle with witches and munchkins and flying monkeys, or should I say, “Lions and tigers and bears…Oh, my!” For some reason, this morning my mind drifted back Continue reading

As his mother nursed him while holding him close in her arms, she had dreams – dreams of the man he might one day become. Those dreams comforted her. She closed her eyes and felt his warmth. She felt it not only on her skin but deeper, much deeper. Her labor was over, and this Continue reading

The news report read, “It was clearly a terror attack, intended to kill as many people as possible.” The police officer was speaking of the terror attack in Barcelona where a man in a white van plowed into pedestrians with the clear intent of bringing chaos and death. He was successful, killing at least 13, and Continue reading

Just a few weeks ago, our one and only son was married. His new wife is terrific. I was honored to be the one to pronounce them husband and wife. Now, they have started a life together with jobs, a house, a puppy, and lots of Thank You notes to write! Jay and Lacie have Continue reading

I am grateful to church members who do invite others to come to church. Sometimes that is all the encouragement that a person needs to step across that threshold. So, if you’re inviting people to come to your church, don’t stop! What I would encourage the church to do is to consider three other invitations Continue reading

Christmastime for a pastor moves along at a pretty good clip. The old year has to be wrapped up. Plans for new year are already underway. Our church is also in the process of preparing a budget to present and seeking new Elders to serve. There are the Christmas parties and Christmas week services. It’s all Continue reading

It seems that the year started only a few weeks ago, and now it is December. The tree is up, lit, and decorated. The rest of the decorations are in various states of being put up. Today, however, was both a happy and sad day in Long household. Since our two children were little, we Continue reading

Prayer for our Country O Lord God of heaven, great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love You and keep Your commandments, we come before You humbly asking for mercy. Forgive us for not keeping the new commandment Jesus gave us…loving one another just as He loved us.  He promised we would Continue reading

A. W. Tozer wrote: “In worship several elements may be distinguished, among them love, admiration, wonder and adoration.” Those words started me thinking about worship, my worship and that of those who gather with me each week in a service we label “worship.” Do these elements exists in our worship experience? Do we love the Continue reading

My fellow believers, I have always found it interesting that Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, a prayer offered in the shadow of the soon-coming cross, focused so much on unity among His followers (John 17:20-21). For Jesus, this was a big deal – no, not a big deal – it was a HUGE Continue reading