There are so many things we can learn from our spiritual youth. They look at life with a new perspective and they have a deep hunger in their hearts to know and do God’s will. I have had the pleasure to work with our group of seniors the past month for the upcoming Youth Weekend…
The message of the resurrection is that the Risen Christ is alive and at work in the world. Our job as disciples is to discern where that is and join him! Unfortunately, sometimes we forget our calling to serve. This past Sunday I shared an alternative version of the old “Footprints” poem that reminds us…
Every half hour on this quiet Good Friday, I hear the door opening, signaling the arrival of the next “link” in our 24-Hour Prayer Vigil. When I arrived, I was greeted by someone just finishing their time in prayer. As we hugged she said, “I was so refreshed by that time. I had so much…
Beginning this Sunday, we are launching a new sermon series called “On the Road to Emmaus.” Using the story of the two disciples in Luke 24, to whom the risen Christ appeared as a stranger on the road, we will be exploring how we can also learn to walk in the power of Jesus’ resurrection.…
At our Sunday 11:11am service, the fantabulous Susie Waddell sings a song called God’s not dead. (Come hear it this Easter Sunday!) God’s not dead… this is our hope and the promise of Easter. When the realities of life are pressing in on us, when families are especially feeling the financial strains of life, experiencing…
I read a depressing article online the other day. According to data on crime, housing, unemployment, etc., the city of Keokuk is supposedly the worst place in Iowa to live. Southeast Iowa, in general, didn’t fare too well in the rankings. I suspect if you’re one of the many who are struggling right now, you…
Many of my friends have told me how they wake up during the night and can’t go back to sleep. I normally don’t have that problem, but lately I have been waking just a little early. Now I can look at this condition as not being a problem, but a blessing. This week I read…
With Palm Sunday just days away, I thought I’d share a parable about the donkey who carried Jesus into Jerusalem so long ago. The story goes that on the day after Jesus’ triumphal entry, the donkey awakened still excited about the day before. He went into town and found some people near a well. He…
We all have our comfort zone inside our box. Going outside our box is a little bit scary for most of us. It wasn’t until about six years ago I really found myself doing just that, going outside my comfort zone. Yes, I was slightly scared, but God was with me and guiding me through…
The weather in Southeast Iowa has been amazing this year! The last two weekends we’ve had temperatures around 70 degrees, which has taken away any excuse for not doing some much needed yard work. You see, I have a stand of pine trees along my property that has needed attention ever since I moved in.…