Where Sunday's Message Meets Everyday Life

  • On the Death of Usama bin Laden

    I see the celebrations on television over the death of UBL. Although this man (who declared war on America and whose actions led to the death of thousands who were simply going about their daily lives) deserved to die, I am having a hard time joining in the festivities. It is not that I am… Continue reading

  • Christians and Non-Christians

    Over the past few weeks some thoughts have been tumbling around in my mind.  I’ll use this space to let them spill out. Christians and non-Christians both face heart ache. Christians and non-Christians both suffer loss. Christians and non-Christians both get taken advantage of. Christians and non-Christians both endure pain. Christians and non-Christians both get… Continue reading

  • Review of “No More Dreaded Mondays” by Dan Miller

    Repackaged, Refreshed, but Insightful Nonetheless I opened the pages of Dan Miller’s “No More Dreaded Mondays” with great hopes that this book might be markedly different from the plethora of other self-help, get-organized, discover-your-true-calling books that line the bookstore shelves. Although it was not altogether different, the information was packaged in an easy-to-read format and… Continue reading

  • Where Never Is Heard a Discouraging Word …

    It was the final Sunday for a pastor who was leaving to serve in another church.  He stood at the reception line saying farewell to his congregation at the church doors for the last time. As he shook the hand of an elderly lady, she said to him, “Your successor won’t be as good as… Continue reading

  • Mosquitoes with Flashlights

    Thomas LaMance told this story – When my grandson, Billy, and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, “It’s no use, Grandpa. The mosquitoes are coming after us… Continue reading

  • Daylight Savings Time

    This past Saturday night as we were getting ready for bed, we took the times to set all the clocks forward one hour.  Daylight Savings Time had arrived again!  If you’re reading this and happened to forget to set your clocks, then my column will answer your question as to why people have been showing… Continue reading

  • Driveway Tax

    Churches in Mission, Kansas are now subject to a recently enacted Transportation Utility Fee. It is calculated by the number of times a driveway is used. The money collected (which would depend on attendance, I suppose) is to be used for public works projects like street repairs. Residents with driveways pay a flat fee, and… Continue reading

  • Ask God First

    I have been going through 1 Samuel during my quiet time this month.  There is a lot of truth to glean from those chapters, but what struck me this morning was the contrast between King Saul and future king David.  Saul had God’s favor, but soon the King quit consulting the Lord at all.  He… Continue reading

  • Simple Can Be Better

    A New York family decided to leave the crowded city and head for the wide-open spaces. They bought a ranch out West, where they intended to raise cattle. A month later as they were driving some visiting New York friends from the airport to the ranch, the friends asked if they had picked out a… Continue reading

  • Prayer

    When I was a child I remember being in awe of an older man in church because of the way that he prayed.  It sounded so majestic.  He used “thee” and “thou” in what sounded like just the right places.  His voice had this air of holiness about it.  Yet even though his words were… Continue reading