I have never been a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. If something needs to be done – then do it now! However, what I do like about New Year’s resolutions is that they can focus our “intentions.” Nothing gets done without INTENT. There is zero chance I will ever get into shape without first…
New Years is a popular time when people start thinking of what they should or want to change and do differently. When resolutions are made with will power, they last as long as a celebrating sparkler and are forgotten by February. When resolutions are made by preparing your heart to receive God’s word, and you…
This Sunday will only be the third time this century Christmas day has fallen on a Sunday – and only the fifth time during the course of my ministry (1988, 1994, 2005, & 2011). I don’t remember much about 1988, but I definitely remember 1994 and every one after that. What I remember best is…
Refinishing woodwork gives me time to think. Recently, that led to the list of things undone in my houses. We have no room for the Christmas tree this year, so I’ll be “constructing” one on the wall. In the quiet hum of the heat gun, my heart stirred with the reminder of what I really…
When I was growing up, my family would go over to my grandparent’s house every Christmas to watch Rudolph on their color TV. Of course, the story of Rudolph has very little to do with the story of Jesus – but that doesn’t mean there’s not an important message. After watching it again as an…
This is December and the end of 2016! It is also going to mark the end of my official pastoral care ministry. God has blessed me so much, as I was able to minister to you or your loved ones as they have been lonely, ill or faced the end of their lives. He has…
This past weekend, I pointed out how the Gospels go to great lengths to show that the birth of Jesus was not an isolated event, but instead was part of a rich web of relationships extending through time and space. The great theologian and Catholic monk, Thomas Merton, once wrote: “Love is our true destiny.…
I get excited this time of year as people set out their lawn ornaments to celebrate Christmas. This season I have a new nativity scene to put out in my yard that will shadow the scene on the side of my house. I also have friends that have the giant letters that spell out words.…
The purpose of Advent, the season of preparation before Christmas, is always the same: to wait and watch. Recently, I’ve witnessed families waiting and watching over their loved ones in hospice care. They kept vigil night and day. They waited and watched not out of obligation, but out of love. Was it easy? No. But…
As you saw on the front page of this week’s Spirit, First Christian Church was very blessed to have received a substantial bequest from the Estate of Bessie Casey. Per Bessie’s request, the first 10% of the bequest will be tithed to Week of Compassion: Haiti. The balance of the funds will be transferred to…