“The Church is the Church,” wrote Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “only when it exists for others.” Easy Question: True/False? Essay Question: How are we doing?

Curtis Brown on our current United Methodist General Conference, shared here with his graciously expressed permission—Some people believe that our process of meeting, praying, talking to one another, and deciding about our church together is inefficient, inelegant, over-complicated, too expensive, and altogether messy. They think that our conferencing is a too glitchy, a bug that…

“You are never too old,” wrote C. S. Lewis. I’m tempted to stop right there but he went on, “to dream a new dream.”I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.— Christ Jesus, John 10:10b, KJV “Always be a first rate version of yourself,” Judy Garland said, “instead…

COPIED —- George Müller is said to have read the Bible more than two hundred times, many of which on his knees. Before his death, asked by a reporter what he would still like to do, he, on his knees, replied, “To read more of the Bible because I know too little about the excellence…

Ryan Holiday, the author of 15 books, including The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic, Conspiracy and Stillness is the Key, calls himself a professional reader.“ That’s really what authors are. A book is made of books.” Some reading rules he has followed over the years: 38) If a book…

Church, apply as needed – – – “Don’t worry about winning. Just focus on doing your job at the highest level every single play. The wins will follow.” —- Rinse and repeat.

People I care about. Their son died. In his memory there’s a plaque. It starts with his name and ends with the dates of his ten years. In between are these words — A boy who never missed a chance to shoot baskets and live life. — Lotta lessons right there from his parents, Amber…

Quick Review of this intermittent series, based on the early part of Isaiah 58, pretty much yields one response: YIKES! and other words and other stuff for which I don’t have any polite words. So what? So as has been said in many ways by sharper, more profound, more advanced followers of Christ Jesus— Too…

Bishop Ken Carter from days gone by—- Seven Reasons Why I Love The United Methodist Church Grace. Holiness. Mission. Discipleship. Inclusion. Doctrinal Standards. Theological Task. Cross and Flame. Better Together. #BeUMC

Give me your heart Make it real Or else forget about it — “Smooth” by Itaal Shur & Robert Thomas  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, says Christ Jesus in Revelation 3:15,16. He continues, I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about…