Leadership matters.  It always has.  Whether it is a country, company, family, school, or church; leadership matters.  Yet often, we get leadership wrong. One of the biggest mistakes the Israelites ever made, happened once they occupied the Promised Land.  They were to be a people like no other.  They were not to have a human … Continue reading June 30, 2020 →

Yesterday, I was visiting with a friend from the church.  He is the assistant manager of a large company that is open twenty-four hours a day.  He was recently injured on the job which required surgery and convalescent time.   I asked about his recovery and returning to work.  That's when he shared something that made … Continue reading June 29, 2020 →

Last week, Trent and Vicki came by the church to give me a gift.  It was a print of a cowboy sitting on the porch of his house, reading the Bible to his two daughters.  It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.  It’s called "Girls and the Gospel.” It was … Continue reading June 25, 2020 →

I believe both my extraordinarily good looks and my brilliant mind bring joy to the world.  Because of this, and rightly so, I struggle with humility.  That's why my conversation with Steve really bothered me. Yesterday, Steve and I were talking about those who refuse to wear masks in a time when so many are … Continue reading June 24, 2020 →

Have you ever had an idea that sounded good in theory but it was only when you were in the middle of it that  you realized how much work you had signed on for?  This happened to me this past weekend. Because we can no longer have a pumpkin patch on the church grounds due … Continue reading June 23, 2020 →

Mike sent the following story.  As a pastor, I see a whole lot of truth in it.  I wish it wasn't so. "A man was stranded on the proverbial deserted Pacific island for years. Finally one day a boat comes sailing into view, and the man frantically waves and draws the skipper's attention. The boat … Continue reading June 22, 2020 →

Rerun of Daily Devotional June 13, 2017 Last week, Shannon brought home the movie, The Shack.  I cried all the way through it. My favorite part was seeing God played by an overweight African American woman.  And while I have never pictured God like this, it did make me think. Growing up, I saw God … Continue reading June 19, 2020 →

Yesterday, I buried a friend.  Tomorrow, I will bury another friend.  I spend a lot of time in cemeteries.   I spend a lot of time burying people I love.  I spend a lot of time around death.  That's not a bad thing. The vast majority of people I bury are very dear to me.  I … Continue reading June 18, 2020 →

I am white.  I am male.  I like being white.  I like being male. No one follows me through a jewelry store to make sure I don’t steal anything.  Car salesmen and mechanics always address me instead of Shannon.  That’s because I am a white male.  White males run the world. If you look at … Continue reading June 17, 2020 →

George sent the following message.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did: "Thought you might enjoy this FB post from one of my friends.  Maybe you can use it in a sermon sometime.  Ha-ha." "I was in McDonalds drive-thru this morning and a lady behind me honked and "flipped me off" because … Continue reading June 16, 2020 →