https://youtu.be/qcfZFVVHszE?feature=shared Click the link above for the MondayMatters video. During Holy Week we often look at spiritual discipline and consider things we can do to deepen our walk and increase our faith. The idea of self-reflection, self-examination is often uncomfortable and certainly underused. But this week is a wonderful time to look inward, allow the… Continue Reading
3/19/24 Lent Psalm 85 Cherished Terms Many years ago, Richard Parrot wrote a fascinating paper on Cherished Terms. He said there are certain terms in every discipline, but particularly in the church, that have a special relationship with that body of people. They are words that have a meaning, apart from the definition, steeped in… Continue Reading
3/14/24 Lent Psalm 80 Doris and I are at an age in life where every statement we make at home is answered by “what?” “Did you get the mail today?” “What?” “I need to go to the grocery store.” “What did you say?” “When did you have your hearing checked?” “What about cashing a… Continue Reading
3/13/24 Lent Psalm 79 IFTTT The history of the children of Israel has always been an “If this then that” relationship. God designed it that way, at least from His side. “If you keep my commandments, you will be blessed.” “If you call on my Name I will answer.” “If you bow down before Me,… Continue Reading
https://youtu.be/srGkk1yBtuI?feature=shared All relationships take work, at least the ones you want to maintain. Here are 7 assumptions to help you make your relationships better. 1. Assume that God is already at work on your relationship 2. Assume that complex problems do not require complex solutions. 3. Assume that there are exceptions and they create hope.… Continue Reading
3/12/24 Lent Psalm 78:40-32 “I likes to be chosen.” Bob Benson is a name well-known to older Nazarenes. He and his family were giants in the gospel publishing business in the early 1970s when I was in college. (I started to just write 70’s but I knew some of you would be confused whether I… Continue Reading
My friend Chris says I bring up two things all the time, the fact that I had shingles 2 years ago and the fact that Doris and I went to Italy last fall. I don’t think that is true, but both of those things had a profound impact on me. When we were in Italy… Continue Reading
My grandfather was eccentric. That is a nice word for “a little bit weird.” 😊 He was my mother’s father, we called him Papa, and by the time I came to know him, he worked as a trolley conductor in Cincinnati and a security guard. After a while, he and Nanny (we had very… Continue Reading
I was turkey hunting with a friend on my sister’s farm just outside of Ashland City, Tennessee a couple of years ago. We were dressed completely in camouflage, sitting under a tree in the gray light of early morning. I was doing my very best turkey call and a gobbler was answering back from… Continue Reading
I like old Asaph. He just tells it like it is. He asks the questions that we all want to ask but are afraid to. “God, I know you have done good stuff for us but, why have you let the bad guys prosper?” I admit, I ask that all the time. God, how come… Continue Reading