Thinking About the Right Things “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these...

Sometimes…Even Pastors Consider Quitting Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58 Sometimes it is the long and seemingly pointless meeting.  Sometimes it is the anonymous letter.  Sometimes it is...

Remembering Saints and Friends Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 A faithful, veteran pastor once noted, “When you stay somewhere long enough, you stop burying members and start burying friends.”  As I get older, All Saints Day is a much more meaningful day...

The Ongoing Reformation: The Word of God "The word of the Lord remains forever."  And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:25 The Reformation was not really one event (i.e. 95 Theses), but it included a series of events that brought about reformation within...

The Best Part of Conferences “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 There is a scene in the television show, The West Wing, where the President’s chief of staff, Leo McGarry, tells a story to one of his staff who...

Offensive Mascots “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”  2 Timothy 4:2-3 The last...

We Walk By Faith So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the...

Unchartered Territory By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with...

Unlike the World “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”  Ephesians 2:14 We live in a world divided against itself.  Our divisions come from many and various sources, but they are all a result of our...

Still Learning Lessons from Grandma I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Timothy 1:5 My brother and I recently traveled to help our father and stepmother prepare for...