Advent usually begins with a word from the biblical prophets. They have a tendency to use dramatic imagery to get their points across. They speak in these terms to catch our attention. They do this so that we can’t help but pay attention. One of my favorite passages of Scripture […]
Pastor
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A few weeks ago, I was talking with a colleague about our different ministries in the churches we serve. At some point, the conversation turned to a recent sermon he had preached on a particular passage of scripture quoting Jesus. It doesn’t really matter what it was for this purpose. […]
Friends, you’ve probably seen in the news the devastation recently caused by tornados around the country. It is hard to know how to help in the midst of such pain. Seeing Jesus After Tornados Today, I spoke with a friend and colleague at UM Church in Beavercreek. He shared with […]
Invitation to Study Paul’s Letter to the Galatians Bishop Palmer has invited the churches and people of the West Ohio Conference to join together in a study of Galatians, called “Galatians: Gospel of Grace.” This study will take place over the weeks of the Easter season. While we are not […]
Lent is Coming. Lent is a season that is often ignored or misunderstood. It is a time of change and renewal, and a time of year when Christians tend to focus doing better. We focus on things like self-denial, discipline, repentance, and the forgiveness that we receive through Jesus Christ. […]
Dear Shalom family and friends, Recently, I offered up a letter with some information regarding the Special Session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, which gathered in St. Louis, February 23-26. The General Conference was called to address issues pertaining to the marriage and ordination of LGBTQ […]
Several weeks ago, I wrote about a book called The Art of Neighboring. I also preached for a few weeks on how the Great Commandment should be an intentional priority in our lives. I asked the congregation to begin small group studies on The Art of Neighboring. Part of the process of […]
Ecclesiastes. Such a depressing book. Or is it? The opening words of the book are, “Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” “Meaningless! Perfectly pointless! Futile! It is of no use!” Those are some other ways that different translations of the Bible proclaim the wisdom […]
This fall, I’m inviting everyone at Shalom to join me in working through the book “The Art of Neighboring” by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon. “The Art of Neighboring” asks the question: “What would happen in every follower of Jesus took the Great Commandment literally? Jesus said, in Matthew 22:37-39, […]
It’s been a rough week. And it’s because of Hurricane Harvey. And here’s a brief disclaimer: this blog post is probably for me more than anyone at church, but I pray that God will speak to you in some way through my struggle this week. I grew up in South […]