On my current ear infection and related matters of life and ministry. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice! Last Monday I called my general practitioner seeking help for clogged up ears.  I heard the nurse on the other end inform me that the doctor’s … Continue reading Listening

What do I say about greatness?  I feel as though greatness is not really for me.  And like John, I wonder if deep down inside, I just want thanked—by God, by the UMC, by my congregations.  In fact, it is rarely “deep down”.  And perhaps that is the problem. This trade is so belief oriented, that one does not get satisfaction from the paycheck—though mine … Continue reading Page One: Mark 9:30-37

This is a draft of a post I was going to publish in September.  There are some thoughts here that, though no longer current, are worth archiving. I am one week behind on the lectionary.  So this week I am studying up on Mark 9:30-37.  I am finding a lot of good stuff there.  I am also trying out a new sermon prep process.  Well, … Continue reading On the Cusp of Greatness

8:00AM–Leave for churches.  Drop bulletins into 2 of 3.  Pray in one.  Scramble because I forgot my childrens’ message prop. 9:00AM–Church 1–Our only nonagenarian arrives as we pass the peace.  She is stopped by a sea of hugs, handshakes and well-wishes.  This group is so warm and loving.  Out of 18 in attendance, we had 3 children <9, one aged 94, one twenty-something (who herself … Continue reading Office Hours

One of the things that I have begun doing is a children’s message during Sunday worship.  I know, almost everyone does that.  I was so bad at these at the beginning that I stopped doing it.  Routinely, I would be under-prepared–even trying to figure out what I was going to do as I drove down the hill to church on Sunday morning.  Not good. At … Continue reading Childishness