“Howdy, Preacher!” I thought I recognized the voice, turned and yup, it was Bill. He was a regular at the church where I’d been the pastor about three months.  He always had a smile to go with his firm handshake.  Seemed supportive in administrative meetings.  A solid, nice guy about 30 years older than me.…

With his permission, I quote my friend and colleague John Read, who among other things is a Chaplain in the US Army serving in the middle east, and who posted this yesterday as he reviewed his Memorial Day Weekend — I have remembered today, those who gave the last full measure of love for our…

A friend shared this prayer, written by Wm. Sloan Coffin.  I invite you to do two things: join me in praying it, and then feel free to leave your comments. “Grant, O God, that they may not have died in vain. May we draw new vigor from past tragedy.   Buttress our instincts for peace,…

“Going to bed early.  Tomorrow will be better.”  That’s how the email ended a moment ago.  It’s been a long day for that family, filled with the kind of medical things that can cause concern. Their faith is strong.  They trust, and they obey.  They know about God working together in all things for the…

“Come, Holy Spirit, and form us into the people of God we were meant to be.   Discard our old, unfruitful selves.   Let us not die and return to dust before we have been transformed by  you.  Amen.” You know how sometimes you come across something too good not to share? This morning was one…

I was enjoying some Social Media Time recently.  Reading, commenting, liking, sharing, all the usual. My comments weren’t always appearing onscreen. When I’d scroll back through the screen or revisit a friend’s wall, some of my comments had vanished. Who was doing this?  Who was following me and deleting my words?  How was this even…

Cheeseburger, fries and a hot fudge sundae in the lobby of her nursing home. Some of her favorites for Mother’s Day dinner. We ate in silence for a few moments.  We would ask a question, only to get a blank stare or a frustrated “What now?”  in response.  Occasionally she would start a sentence, but…

Yesterday was my birthday. Like many others have  been, I was astonished at the volume of Happy Birthday greetings that came my way. One in particular would get the award for “Came the Farthest.”  Matt is serving our country in Afghanistan.  For the second time. Matt and I crossed paths and shared a slice of…

 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”  —Romans 12:15 Our recent United Methodist General Conference is history. From April 24 -May 4, thanks to the live stream from Tampa, and on Twitter and Facebook, our every-four-year meeting has been at least running in the background while everything else has been going on.…

“For God so loved the world” is how Jesus started his summary. Those six words are the opening of John 3:16. Probably the best simple version of The Gospel of Christ, and it starts like that. God.  Loved. The world. Seems pretty clear. Today, let’s you and me pray for grace keep it simple: “For…