Bishop Frank Beard has issued the following pastoral letter to the Illinois Great Rivers Conference regarding General Conference 2020/2024: Friends, we are not where we were! The dust has not settled, but it is clear and obvious that the United…

“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” The first handful of words in that stunning line from Dietrich Bonhoeffer brings up what in you? A handy checklist of things to Do and Don’t Do?…

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, yes, THAT particular DB (look him up if you don’t know) — “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” Spend a moment with me in self-reflection, self inventory, self analysis, whatever you’d…

While authorship seems uncertain, all else is clear —- Why I am United Methodist Because we see flowers where others see weeds. It’s all about grace and seeing people as children of God; it’s not about “us” and “them”, and…

Well, yeah— The thief must stop stealing; instead, he should make an honest living by his own efforts. This way he will be able to share with those in need. (Ephesians 4:28) — that’s pretty clear. But the very next…

Jim Palmer says —- 11 things one could appreciate about Jesus, whatever you believe about God: Jesus…. both affirmed what was good, and vehemently condemned the abuses of his religious tradition. taught that love is and should be the ultimate…

With gratitude to Stan Copeland for this perspective —- Who Really Speaks for African United Methodists—“R”hetoric. It is the last day of the historic General Conference of the United Methodist Church. It has been historic in laying the foundation of…

COPIED from John Maxwell —- “I was very fortunate. I learned about the power of good thinking early in life. My father required all three of his children to read for thirty minutes every day. Sometimes we choose what we…

With gratitude to Owen Ross for this perspective —- In 1946 some Bible translators interpreted some ancient words and introduced the word “homosexual” in Holy Scripture. Serious Bible Scholars have debated since 1946 the accuracy of this term for words…

Just gotta. Spelled forwards I’m what you do every day, spelled backward I’m something you hate. What am I? I’ll give you a moment. OK, even two moments. Spoiler alert! The next sentence will be one word long, and it’s…