PART OF THE PROBLEM: “We’re pumping out non-traditional clergy these days for a church that continues to want to operate in a very traditional way.”   SOURCE THAT NAMES THAT PROBLEM & MANY MORE: The Impending Clergy Shortage…Coming From Left Field   SOLUTION: What say ye?

Lee Anne Steed is a friend in Eldorado, Illinois who recently wrote this and gave me her gracious permission to share it with you here. In my humble opinion, this reads like a Psalm and I love it — When it hurts too much to pray. When the words won’t form in your mind to…

A couple of days ago we considered these three things: Life abundantly. Life in all its fullness. More and better life than you can imagine. That’s what our Lord offers and promises us in three English translations of John 10:10b. We agreed it sounds way beyond pretty good to us. I asked you then what…

On this Memorial Day, I am thankful for the sacrifice so many throughout our history have made, for the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and for their families who had to carry on without them. It is a sacrifice that is easy to forget. For those who have it, freedom is like oxygen. It’s…

There seems to be some confusion about this the nature and purpose of this holiday weekend. In an effort to help, here are a full dozen suggestions from our official denominational website, written by Barbara Dunlap-Berg —- From sea to shining sea, United Methodists are finding special ways to observe Memorial Day in the United…

The Revs. Kathy and Craig Bueker-Sweet, both of whom are my friends and colleagues in real life, turned me on to this and gave me gracious permission to share this with you. It’s  fabulous: “Sing. Dance. Box. Ask that girl out. Floss. Be kind. Eat right. Don’t waste your time on petty jealousy or envy…

“Get help.” My humble blog’s title here is not a typo…if you’re confused or uncertain why the semicolon’s there, here ya go: http://www.semicolontattoo.com/ Season two of 13 Reasons Why opens with a brief video by several of the actors, speaking out of character: Let me just reiterate part of that: “Get help. Because the minute…

Real life friend Jim Eckert graciously gave me permission to share this with you. He and Carole, his wife, were on a cruise ship and participating in a Chapel service. After the Benediction the Chaplain approached them and in the course of conversation asked where they went to church back home. Upon hearing their answer: “I…

QUICK REVIEW — “Made like him, like him we rise,” we sing in the song Christ the Lord is Risen Today. We heard here recently from Athanasius who told us, “He became what we are that we might become what he is.” Fold those two lines together and let them simmer. SO OKAY, NOW THEN —…

“Made like him, like him we rise,” we sing in the song Christ the Lord is Risen Today. We heard here yesterday from Athanasius who told us, “He became what we are that we might become what he is.” Fold those two lines together and let them simmer. See you back here tomorrow.