Yesterday after lunch, I walked into Dennis Hall. Ellen was sitting at the receptionist’s desk. I said, “I’m very important. Where are all my messages?” Without missing a beat, Ellen said, “Your staff is so efficient; they’ve already taken care of everything.” This got me thinking. Do you ever think you are important? I don’t … Continue reading May 23, 2019 →

Last week, when Ray and Linda were traveling in Chicago they passed a Tootsie Roll factory. Since I am big on Tootsie Rolls, they sent me a picture of the sign pointing to the loading dock. I used them in a devotional. The problem is that we have two couples in the church named Ray … Continue reading May 22, 2019 →

This past Sunday in worship, I was preaching what was possibly the single greatest sermon in the history of Christianity, when suddenly, I noticed Ellen and Olivia shaking their heads and making the strangest faces at me. It was clear that they were trying to communicate something but I didn’t know what it was. The … Continue reading May 21, 2019 →

When I first met Shannon, my stomach was a six-pack. Now it's a keg. When I first came to FUMC Temple, all my hair was brown. Now it's predominantly gray. When I first came to FUMC Temple, I met all these little children that we celebrated in church yesterday for graduating from high school. What … Continue reading May 20, 2019 →

Linda and Ray are traveling. She sent me a picture of a street sign with a huge Tootsie Roll at the top with the word "Shipping" underneath and a big arrow pointing right. She wrote: "Ray and I saw this sign on Cicero Ave. in Chicago on Monday and thought of you. We were on … Continue reading May 16, 2019 →

Daily Devotional May 15, 2019 Last year Shannon told me she wanted Bermuda hay for her horses.  Since I raise oat hay for the cows, this meant buying Bermuda seed (which is very expensive), plowing a new field multiple times, using the harrow to smooth everything out and break up any remaining dirt clods, broadcasting … Continue reading May 15, 2019 →

Sunday during the children’s sermon, Mark began to experience some difficulty.  Luckily, the doctors in the sanctuary immediately came to his aid.  The good news is that Mark is doing fine. He sent me the following email Sunday afternoon.  After reading it, I got his permission to share it with you:  “Tom, sorry for the interruption!  … Continue reading May 14, 2019 →

Mark sent the following observations about eating in the fifties. While I grew up in the sixties, it was the same for me. This brought back a lot of memories. I hope it does the same for you. EATING IN THE FIFTIES "Pasta had not been invented. It was macaroni or spaghetti. Curry was a … Continue reading May 13, 2019 →

Mike is the father of our twelve year old youth director, Grace.  He sent the following account of what happened when he didn’t get his apple pies.  It really made me think."Went to our favorite fast-food restaurant.  Picked up our order:  2 chicken sandwiches, fries, onion rings, plus 2 apple pies.  Returned home where we … Continue reading May 9, 2019 →

If you want to live a productive, fulfilling life then pay close attention to Solomon’s book of Proverbs.  Even though these words of wisdom are thousands of years old, they are just as meaningful today as they were then. Don sent me the following modern day proverbs.  Sadly, I know most of these from first-hand experience.Your … Continue reading May 8, 2019 →