God Provides

Scripture:  Genesis 22:1-14 At this point we have probably all heard and rolled our eyes at the old joke that goes like this:  The doctor says to the patient, “What seems to be the trouble?”   Raising his arm, the patient says, “It hurts when I do this.”  The doctor says, “Then don’t do that.” Even … [Read more…]

July Pastor’s Article

Last month, the United Methodist Churches of Indiana met for Annual Conference.  This multiday gathering is to do the business of the church, make decisions that impact all of United Methodist Churches in the State, and renew the connection of those together as the people called Methodists in Indiana.  One of these connectional pieces was … [Read more…]

One vs. All

Scripture:  Matthew 10: 24-39 After seventeen seasons, the show went off the air in 2019, but do you all remember Who Wants to be a Millionaire?   This game show tasked a person to answer multiple choice questions in an effort to reach a million dollars.   The show broke new ground, because the contestant could always … [Read more…]

Sent

Scripture:  Matthew 9:35-10:8 Often the word missionary brings up images of a faithful disciple who has traveled overseas to a foreign county in order to bring the good news of Jesus Christ and help make converts of the native peoples.  While there are missionaries that focus on medical and justice issues this more evangelistic model … [Read more…]

One for the Ages

Scripture:  Matthew 28:16-20 In 1992 Francis Fukuyama published a book that has an odd distinction of being both incredibly influential and incredibly obscure.  The book entitled The End of History and the Last Man is obscure because there is a good chance that you have not heard of it.  It is an academic political philosophy … [Read more…]

June 2023 Pastor’s Article

This month I will spend a week helping to lead Jr. High church camp.  This year at camp we are going to be focusing on exploring the Christian faith through questions, and every day of camp will have a “BIG question.”   On Tuesday the big question to consider and discuss is “Who am I?”   That … [Read more…]

Sing When the Spirit Says Sing

Scripture:  1 Corinthians 12:4-13 Since I grew up as a pastor’s kid, that meant we moved every few years and I started a new school while in high school.   I decided that I wanted to be involved with this school’s drama productions.  However, I quickly learned there was an unwritten rule.  Kind of like here, … [Read more…]

Finding Jesus

Scripture:  John 14:15-21 One of the most common tropes found in Super Hero movies and comic books is the idea of a secret identity.  The Super Hero’s non-heroic alter ego is often meant to be the last person that anyone would expect of being a crime fighter.   Most super heroes wear some sort of mask … [Read more…]

Through Jesus the Son

Scripture:  John 14:1-14 The bank of England is one of the most secure buildings in the world, and it was constructed with security in mind.  It was built in 1734 with walls that were eight feet thick.  It was built with an intricate and proprietary lock system, which has only been made stronger with technological … [Read more…]

More of Us

Scripture:  Acts 2:42-47 In 1933 Radio Station WXYZ premiered a new show.  This show began with a fast tempo piece of classical music entitle March of the Swiss Soldiers the final piece from the William Tell Overture and then the listeners were invited to wild west adventure with the neighing of a horse and voice … [Read more…]