When Tammy and I moved into our home three years ago, we spent several weeks going through all the stuff in our storage room. We did it box by box, throwing out the stuff that wasn’t worth keeping, giving away the stuff we didn’t need anymore, and neatly putting away the things we treasure. We…
On Sunday, we opened worship with “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus….” When my mother was 87 and in a nursing home, she would be very confused and most of the time didn’t know where she was, but one day when I was reading a Max…
I have been known for missing things that are right under my nose. For instance, I’ve looked high and low for something I was already holding in my hand. Or I’ve asked for help finding something in the refrigerator only to have someone point out it was front and center the whole time. Likewise, I…
Every journey has a beginning and we get to see each week another step along the path of your journey with Christ as we check in sign-in sheets from Wednesday night activities, Sunday morning red attendance books and now even Facebook check-in updates. When you check-in each week it’s like you taking the time to…
This coming Sunday (Nov. 1st) is All Saint’s Sunday. For many centuries, the Church has set aside this day as a day to celebrate the great role models of faithful discipleship who have gone before us. But here’s the thing – you don’t have to be dead to be a saint! Most of the time,…
Last Wednesday evening, two of our elders went to a local laundromat for their first attempt at a new ministry called “Loads of Love.” Their goal is to spend a couple of hours (several times a month) helping local families do their laundry – and paying for up to two loads. Initially, the folks at…
This past Sunday I asked Pastor David if I could do something different with the power points in the traditional services. I did the slides without adding color. Boring, right? I wanted to show that Jesus is our color. Jesus is our light. Jesus is our everything. Without color (Jesus) in our lives, what a…
Out of ALL the pumpkins in the patch, God picks you! He isn’t looking for the perfect size or shape, he chooses you even with scars, bruises and broken hearts! He washes off the dirt so you are free from sin. He cuts off the top and is ready to start digging away the yuck…
When I first moved to Keokuk, my brother-in-law (who grew up on a farm outside Ottumwa) bought me a Carhartt work coat and a John Deere stocking cap. I know he’ll be glad to hear my transformation into a true resident of S.E. Iowa is now complete. As of today, I am the proud owner…
Closing Prayer Circle in CYF is tradition. It’s an unbroken circle where we encourage verbal prayer, even when all we have to offer is “Thank You God”. Sometimes, for the sake of time, I have been known to offer up a “repeat after me” prayer; it’s not my favorite way to end our night, because…