On Pins and Needles 1984. I was sitting in my pastor’s office, near Junction City, Kansas when I received a call. A member of my church was having an auction. The bank had foreclosed on his farm. Everything was to be sold; land, house, tractors, tools, personal possessions… At the farm, a wasp was buzzing [...]
Columns
June, 2008 – Pastors should claim the freedom of the pulpit
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Pastors Should Claim The Freedom Of The Pulpit I am sick of hearing the endless bad mouthing of Barack Obama for belonging to a church where Rev. Jeremiah Wright preaches. Like you, I have seen some of the incendiary video clips. I am not scandalized. In fact I think this Presidential candidate should be commended [...]
May, 2008 – President Bush’s crowning achievement?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
President Bush’s crowning achievement? If you get your economic stimulus check you can thank and bless God. Sing! Dance! Shout for Joy.! Get out your four page insert from the Palladium Item, published on May 14, with all the extravagant ways to frivolously spend your money. Go ahead. Spoil yourself! Book a vacation, schedule a [...]
April, 2008 – Pastors Should Claim The Freedom Of The Pulpit
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Pastors Should Claim The Freedom Of The Pulpit I am sick of hearing the endless bad mouthing of Barack Obama for belonging to a church where Rev. Jeremiah Wright preaches. Like you, I have seen some of the incendiary video clips. I am not scandalized. In fact I think this Presidential candidate should be commended [...]
March, 2008 – Resurrected People: To be Alive and Sent
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Resurrected People: To be Alive and Sent There are many ways to define the Christian. At Easter we are reminded that we are the “People of the resurrection.” This is a passive definition. It simply means that we are the people who believe in the resurrection. I prefer the more active expression, we are “Resurrected [...]
February, 2008 – Adopt a spirit of delight this Lenten season
Friday, February 15, 2008
Adopt a spirit of delight this Lenten season In Europe, Mardi Gras, also called Karneval in German speaking countries, is a big thing. It is a time not only for public drinking, dancing, parades and partying, but it is also a time to make fun of political figures. As my wife and I watched the [...]
January, 2008 – Unhappy Martin Luther King Day!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Unhappy Martin Luther King Day! On April 4, 1968, I was rejoicing as my parents left the house to go to their choir practice at church. It was the one night of the week when we were allowed to watch TV. I turned on the tube to watch my favorite program, Ironsides. But the show [...]
December, 2007 – Christian giving is about more than playing Santa Claus
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Christian giving is about more than playing Santa Claus Excitedly I said to my wife, as I stepped through the door of the parsonage, “Tomorrow I get to play Santa Claus!” “What did the mission committee talk you into doing this time?” She smiled. “Do they have a red Santa suit for you to wear? [...]
November, 2007 – RCS Administration Has a Lot to Answer For
Thursday, November 15, 2007
RCS Administration Has a Lot to Answer For When I sit down for my Thanksgiving Dinner, one of the things I will thank God for is the blessing of receiving a tremendous education. I am a graduate of Western Michigan University, earned my Master’s of Divinity at Andover Newton Theological School in Boston, and completed [...]
October, 2007 – Unsung Heroes
Monday, October 15, 2007
Unsung Heroes I like to watch boxing. It’s a real contest of fitness, conditioning and skill. Yet, you never know what is going to happen. I get the biggest kick out of it when the commentators are putting down the condition and skill of the man that appears to be losing the fight, and then [...]