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…
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…
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.…
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…
As this time of the year approaches, I get all excited about being together with my family on Thanksgiving Day. Some of you may not know, but I have five brothers/sisters and both parents that live south of St. Louis, Mo. This is the time we all try very hard to make it home for…
There’s an old hymn you may know that goes “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” It’s not just a hymn though, it’s true. The more I study and reflect on the Jesus we learn about in the gospels, the more it becomes clear to me the difficulty of…
Recently, I passed a Hy-Vee semi. Instinctively, I waved. You see, I have connections to that business. 1) Both of my parents claim Chariton, Iowa, as hometown (Hy-Vee headquarters), 2) My daddy opened the original Keokuk Hy-Vee store, 3) My grandpa drove semi for them. So, for as long as I’ve been driving, I wave…
I feel it is our obligation to vote. Many Christians do not vote. I really think this is the wrong choice. Christians in many countries in this world are being persecuted. They suffer under governments that hate the Christian faith and yet these believers don’t have a right to choose their leaders. In the United…
Knowing I have shared my joy with you, serving you as your Administrative Assistant, I would like to reemphasize my joy! I look forward to coming into work every day as each is different. Prior to becoming a staff member, I took our pastors for granted! Not any longer…I so appreciate and see firsthand all…
Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve asked someone to keep your secret only to find out that the “world” now knows your situation? The heartbreak of losing trust is overwhelming. Trust isn’t a tool from the toolbox, it is a character. It is built on integrity, and integrity is a trait that…