These last few days, Pastor Brian, Buzz, Martha, Lucia, and I have been attending Annual Conference in Arlington. I consider it penance for a lot of sin. And while I don't know what the other's sins are, I know mine and I deserve Annual Conference. Enough said. One of the good things about Annual Conference … Continue reading June 12, 2019 →

Yesterday Pastor Brian was showing me how to use some of the apps my phone. He was very patient. In fact, I noticed he was talking to me the same way you would talk to a toddler - very slow, making good eye contact to ensure that what he was saying was registering in my … Continue reading June 11, 2019 →

Wayne is an extraordinarily remarkable person. He served our country as a Marine in Vietnam and was exposed to dangerously high amounts of Agent Orange. Today he suffers the consequences. I have known Wayne for fourteen years and watched as he battled a host of health issues, including cancer. And while I would have been … Continue reading June 10, 2019 →

Friday Repeat Daily Devotional July 29, 2015 My senior year in college, I had a great deal of trouble finding a job. After filling out too many job applications, I was finally hired as a janitor in a sausage factory. I was incredibly thankful for the job. For an entire year, I cleaned meat packing … Continue reading June 7, 2019 →

I am a huge fan of country music. And one of my favorite artists is Eric Church. That’s because his music has filled some huge holes in my theological education. His latest release is entitled Some Of It. It has to do with what we learn and how we learn it. The refrain is: Some … Continue reading June 6, 2019 →

I ended yesterday's devotional by saying, "I praise God I am married to such a wonderful person. It's either love or my good looks. I think I'll ask her." Then Dale sent the following email: "No, Tom. Don't ask. She will tell you the truth." Not sure what he meant by that but I'm pretty … Continue reading June 5, 2029 →

One of my closest friends says, “God takes care of old ladies and fools and I am no old lady.” I feel the same way. Today is my wedding anniversary. I don’t know why Shannon married me. I know me. I wouldn’t marry me, but Shannon did anyway. It must be love. Now that I … Continue reading June 4, 2019 →

Pastor Joe went to the doctor for his annual exam. The doctor told him that if he didn't lose thirty pounds his health was in serious jeopardy. So Pastor Joe decided to go on a strict diet. The members of the congregation were skeptical because they knew Pastor Joe loved to eat. One morning, Pastor … Continue reading June 3, 2019 →

Last Sunday, Jeana asked if I would run old devotionals on the Fridays I am off. Since she is much more intelligent than I am, I decided to follow her advice. Here's a devotional from five years ago. I pray that it somehow blesses your day. Devotion for June 5, 2014 A man, here in … Continue reading May 31, 2019 →

This past Sunday, Sam and his sister, Julie, who is a world-class opera singer, sang a duet during the offertory. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. The only thing that would have made it better is if they had invited me to sing with them. But for some reason, … Continue reading May 30, 2019 →