“This is the day the Lord has made,” says Psalm 118:24. What are you going to do with such a gift?

Scotty Smith is a Presbyterian colleague I met while working on my doctoral degree. He is an amazing teacher, pastor, and friend. Let’s join him this prayer he wrote based on Matthew 11:29, where Christ Jesus says, “Learn from me, for I (Jesus) am gentle and humble in heart.” —- Lord Jesus, I am ready,…

She died at age 105. Today she would’ve been 110. Amid all the changes she went through, all the advice she gave in all those years, I heard her say this more than anything else: Enjoy every moment. .

Marquis Walker and I are in a group together, and it’s with his graciously expressed permission that I share the following with you —- I did it without youAll the love you never gave me, I can give to my sonEternal love to my child, we’ll forever be oneThanks to you, I know the man…

The last show I remember doing this with was the epic “Lost.” Our nephew and I’d meet for lunch to analyze scenes, lines, and characters in the most recent episode. It was easy to avoid dropping a Spoiler, because the next episode hadn’t yet aired. Great conversations! For many of us, things like that now…

(Always good hearing from you! Since several especially enjoyed yesterday’s true story, here’s another.) A friend and colleague went into the nearest open door of the church building and saw someone coming down the hallway. Introducing herself as the newly-appointed pastor, she asked how to get to the sanctuary. “It’s easy! Just go through the…

It was my first Sunday morning as their appointed pastor. The Benediction was done and I checked my watch. Right on time! I’d been told it was only a 10 minute drive to the next church for the next Service of Divine Worship, and I had 15 minutes. All I needed now were directions. “It’s…

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. — Matthew 5:10 That’s the first of three verses that are all variations of the same theme: following Christ Jesus isn’t always going to be fun, or the proverbial Sunday School Picnic, or even easy. But? As Christ Jesus says…

Blessed are the peacemakers,    for they will be called children of God. — Matthew 5:9 Whiners, complainers, and them. Oh my! Who are their opposites? Peacemakers. Christ calls you and me to be in that group. Today.

Blessed are the pure in heart,    for they will see God. — Matthew 5:8 Do you recycle peanut butter jars? Do you use a spatula kinda thing to scrape them out? Do you rinse them? Do you use some type of soap or spray something in them to clean them out? By the grace of God,…