Author: Rev. Dr. R. Franklin Gillis I was raised in a home where prayer was important. Grace at every meal and at bedtime were routine. “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…” was the first prayer I learned and offered nightly as I kneeled at my bedside, […]
Author: Pastor Tom Murphy So many voices sounding off these days. So much anguish; so much misunderstanding. Too many questions; not enough right answers. Questionable actions. Intolerable situations. One can find oneself caught up in diverse positions on one issue or another. There was only one issue for little Billy. It was time for him to go […]
Author: Rev. Dr. R. Franklin Gillis, Jr. In a recent conversation with a retired ministerial colleague, we talked about the challenges facing the United Methodist Church because of the pandemic. He said, “Just look at what has happened to the church! We’ll never be the same!” While he said the comment out of frustration, it […]
Author: Rev. Peggy Packard Many ordinary people in the Bible received a life-changing surprise. A few who come to mind are Abraham and Sarai, Moses, David, Mary, the shepherds, Paul. These and others were just going about their daily work when God in some form came to them and changed their plans. These stories speak […]
Author: Rev. Dr. Stan Thompson Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.” (NLT) My friends, we certainly are living in uncertain times. It seems as if danger lurks all around us. Covid-19, social unrest, social distancing, unemployment, and homelessness suggest I be afraid. […]
Author: Rev. Dr. R. Franklin Gillis The stay-at-home orders placed on us in the last two and a half months because of the pandemic have impacted our lives in many ways. One of the things we miss is being with family, friends and neighbors. I think the thing I miss the most though, is gathering […]
Author: Bass Mitchell I’ll never forget that Sunday. We were receiving eight confirmands. Suddenly, one of our always alert ushers saw and/or smelled smoke, apparently coming from one of the electric outlets in the foyer. Calmly, I was told in the middle of the service about this and the recommendation was to evacuate as we […]
Author: Steve Hay Heartbreak, sorrow, disappointment, abandonment, and betrayal are part of a pastor’s call to follow Jesus. “Take up your cross and follow me” is not part of the invitation offered most Sundays across the US. It doesn’t sell. But it is reality. So how do we live a life ‘overflowing with hope’? How […]
Author: Rev. Jim Harris I have been calling some of the people I used to be able to visit with in person and this week one of the people I called said something that really resonated with me. She said, “I have been reading some of the Old Testament prophets, Jeremiah and others, and I […]
Author: Joe Amend Last May, my wife Kathy helped me write off a long-standing bucket list item: visit all 50 States in the USA. We visited the last three states left on my list and also visited another 3 states Kathy hadn’t been in. (She now only has 11 more States to go.) During this […]