While our main church campus is four city blocks that have been consolidated into one, we also own additional property across the street.  It is a large garage with eight huge bays, an office, and storage area.  In addition, we have two other buildings on this property.  For the last few months, it has become … Continue reading Daily Devotional for June 15, 2021 →

Mike sent the following story.  Believe it or not, there's a lot of truth in it. A pastor assured his congregation he was their servant and that they should feel free to call him anytime they had a problem.That night the pastor's phone rang at 3 a.m. On the other end was a dear elderly … Continue reading Daily Devotional June 14, 2021 →

Tuesday, I wrote a devotional about the deep shame I felt for some of our church staff because they did not carry pocketknives.  Later that day, in order to redeem them from their shame, I bought each of them a multitool so that they could say they carried pocketknives on steroids which is even better … Continue reading Daily Devotional for June 10, 2021 →

Yesterday, I got a call from a good friend who has faithfully served his congregation for many years. He told me about a woman in his church who had been diagnosed with Tinnitus.  The ringing noise was so loud, she described it like listening to a large jet engine that never stopped. Sadly, the doctor … Continue reading Daily Devotional June 9, 2021 →

Our church staff has deep, theological discussions on a regular basis.  Usually, these happen in the break room during lunch.  Yesterday was one of the deepest.As Kay ate her instant noodles, Brian ate his hamburger, Breana stared at her phone, Melissa unpacked her lunch, I ate the lunch Shannon had packed, Pete munched on whatever … Continue reading Daily Devotional for June 8, 2021 →

This month, I begin my sixteenth year of ministry at FUMC Temple.  It has been quite a ride. Because of my extended time at the church, I have been able to witness what few Methodist pastors get to see.  Things have changed. The children I visited with during the children's time, are now in college.  … Continue reading Daily Devotional June 7, 2021 →

Carl and Becky are two of my all-time favorite people.  That’s because they both have a sense of humor as bad as mine.Yesterday, they had come to the church office because Carl needed to give Melissa some information for the organ music being played on Sunday and Becky was the volunteer staff babysitter.When I walked … Continue reading Daily Devotional for June 3, 2021 →

Yesterday, as I was eating lunch in the Dennis Hall breakroom, Breana and Emma walked in carrying the greasiest looking bag I had ever seen.  In fact, even though all I did was look at the greasy bag, my arteries began to clog.Then, with a great deal of enthusiasm, they pulled their lunch from the … Continue reading Daily Devotional for June 2, 2021 →

I am a big fan of Little Johnny jokes.  Mike sent this one.  Sadly, it speaks a lot of truth. Little Johnny came running into the house after the school one day, shouting, "Daddy! Daddy! I got 100 in school today!""That's great, Son!" said his daddy."Come into the living room and tell me about it," … Continue reading Daily Devotional June 1, 2021 →

Yesterday, as I walked through the reception area of Dennis Hall, the phone rang.  Laura, the volunteer staff babysitter answered with, “Hello, this is the First Presbyterian Church of Temple, may I help you?”At that moment I started to have a heart attack, as Laura said into the phone, “Oh no.  He’s right here.  I’m … Continue reading Daily Devotional for May 27, 2021 →