Years ago, a pastor friend of mine, stood before the congregation for the benediction at the end of the Easter Worship Service and said, “I will see many of you again on Christmas Eve.”While it is true that many people who come to church on Easter won’t darken the church doors again until Christmas Eve, … Continue reading Daily Devotional for April 5, 2023 →

Rerun of Daily Devotional April 3, 2018 Way back at the beginning of time, when I was in the process of becoming a pastor, I served the Haslet/Dido Charge.  That meant serving two small, wonderful congregations at the same time. Danny Peek was an old cowboy who served on the Haslet Pastor Parish Relations Committee.  Sonny Nance … Continue reading Daily Devotional April 4, 2023 →

Barbara sent me the following account from Corrie Ten Boom’s life.  I pray it speaks to you the way it spoke to me. “Sex,” I was pretty sure, meant whether you were a boy or girl, and “sin” made Tante Jans very angry, but what the two together meant I could not imagine. And so, seated … Continue reading Daily Devotional April 3, 2023 →

Melanie’s father is awesome.  He’s 96 years old and just bought a new full-size, four-wheel drive, pickup truck.When Melanie told me this, knowing her father’s mobility issues, I asked how he was able to climb into such a tall truck.She said, “Pastor Tom, I don’t get it.  He’s 96 years old.  We had to have a stool made so … Continue reading Daily Devotional for March 30, 2023 →

Because of Shannon’s hip replacement surgery, many in our church have been very gracious in offering assistance.  I don’t know if it is because they are afraid I am not a good nurse, they just want to help, or they have a completely different agenda.  Carol is a good example of a completely different agenda. This is … Continue reading Daily Devotional March 29, 2023 →

One of the worst moments of my life was standing over the little casket of a child.  There’s something about seeing a miniature coffin and knowing there’s a little one in it that goes against the natural order of things.  It’s not supposed to be that way.  Older people who have experienced a long full life are supposed … Continue reading Daily Devotional March 28, 2023 →

By the standards of normal people, Shannon and I eat a very strange diet.  We are whole-food, plant-based, which is code for, “If it tastes good, you can’t eat it.”  Eating this way means being very intentional and a lot of prior planning.  Fortunately for me, Shannon is an excellent cook and I eat well. Last Thursday, Shannon … Continue reading Daily Devotional March 27, 2023 →

When someone in our church does something above and beyond, I give them a free funeral (pastor part only). After being here so long, I’ve given away a lot of funerals.Larry volunteers to drive one of the vans that bring children from the different school districts to our Wednesday afternoon programs.  He’s a saint so yesterday, I … Continue reading Daily Devotional for March 23, 2023 →

A few nights ago, Shannon jokingly said that even though our wedding anniversary isn’t until June, it will be our silver anniversary and I better start working her gift.I explained she is getting a new hip tomorrow and that counted.  She said, “The hip is made of titanium, not silver.”  So, now I am back to square one.It … Continue reading Daily Devotional for March 22, 2023 →

Shannon is an excellent animal trainer.  She has trained our horses and dogs.  This is good because I don’t have the time, patience, or expertise to train our animals.Effective training results in desired behavior and Shannon is very effective.  With the exception of a yippy, creepy, hairless dog, that looks like an underinflated football with feet, our horses … Continue reading Daily Devotional for March 21, 2023 →