no idea – no clue
Saturday I officiated a funeral for a 74 year old man. During the order of service I introduced his son to give a brief eulogy. I stood off to the side partially listening but mostly thinking about the opening point of my message. Suddenly and without warning the son giving the eulogy turns to me and says: “Pastor would you lead us in The Lord’s Prayer?” My mind was a blank … I had no idea … no clue. Not only could I not remember the Lord’s prayer, I could not remember the passage of scripture where it was found. …
OK, finally God, I get it
The toll-way was jammed yesterday as I made my way into the city for a Moody Grad class on the Theology of Missions. It would take me less time to jog than to drive one mile. I complained … but I was alone so no one heard me. No one but God. Some pre-class work and other small things were nagging at my mind … and sitting in this traffic pretty much ruined any chance that I would have a God honoring day. When it was time for class Jonathan, a fellow student, walked in as usual. Jonathan is blind. …
I forgot … again
Linda and I took three days in the middle of last week and enjoyed a mini-vacation to Door County … the very northern peninsula of Wisconsin. We drove all over the county site-seeing … shopping … and eating at great restaurants. The fall scenery was beautiful, Lake Michigan magnificent, and the air was crisp. But something wasn’t quite right. You see for 3 days I sort of forgot my Bible and forgot to pray. Instead I found myself envying all the people that could afford those expensive boats and fantastic cottages. I rediscovered something about myself …. when left to …
0 for 9
The Bible says there is evidence in the lives of those that claim Jesus Christ as their heart changing Savior by a measuring device called “fruits of the spirit”. Galatians 5:22-23 These “fruits” include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Nine all total. Well, this week I encountered a set of circumstances that didn’t seem to be lining up with my expectations. So for about 4 hours within the walls of our townhome I proceeded to demonstrate just the opposite of what the “fruits of the spirit” are designed to reflect. Now don’t call the …
It's a long story . . . . . abandonment to hope!
I’m going to start telling a long story. This post is the first installment. It’s a story of God reconciling me to my earthly father after having been abandoned by him for almost 40 years. This post will start at the beginning. I was born October 11, 1962 – thankfully. Had my father had his way I might have been aborted, at least as I hear it. But God knew my days even in my mother’s womb, and He had a plan for my life. But a newborn with two other kids, under the age of three, was just too …
trees and salvation
God seems to have this thing for trees. In Genesis and Revelation God informs us of the “tree of life“. In Luke we learn that baby Jesus was laid in a manger. In Matthew and Mark we learn that Jesus was a carpenter. In the 4 gospels we learned that Jesus ate his last meal at a table. In the 4 gospels we read where Jesus was nailed to a cross. Trees are every where … even on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. So each time you see a tree … whether it’s a Christmas tree in December … an apple …
Hope For All
I love looking back at my spritual journey. In September of 2001, I wanted to create a non-profit organization, called Hope4All. This was something I wrote when I was trying to figure out a mission statement. Although it never developed, it’s a fun way to look back at the things God was doing in my life. Helping Others Prosper Endlessly HOPE4All was inspired by three sources. 1) God. It is God who gave us life, and God who feeds our souls. Without Him, we are empty. We are without love, and without hope. Our lives have no meaning, and that …
The Phone Call
There I sat, in cold darkness, with thoughts of suicide as close as they have ever been. Amidst my tears, I thought it was over, that any reasons I had to live had just left me. She walked out the door, and at that point, I wanted nothing more than to end my life. Silence. I thought that I had done the unforgivable, and wouldn’t allow God, or anyone else to extend grace and to forgive me. Was it time? Was this the way to go? I felt like I had let every person I knew down. I felt as …
