Words matter
It was one of those teachable moments between parent and child. It was around 1995. My young daughter was watching a television show in one room, while I was in…
Easter firsts
So how can you be first if you put others first? We look to Jesus for the answer to that riddle. Putting others first was at the heart of Jesus’…
Be an influencer
They are called influencers. They might be athletes, actors, or musicians. By definition, influencers influence. They can change the thinking or behavior of their followers, and the top influencers have…
Confessions of faith: Veronica Schultz
A woman raised in Islam now enjoys forgiveness in Jesus. “What's in a name?” William Shakespeare asked. Veronica Suci Andiani Putri Schultz finds significant meaning in her name. Her father…
Worship that encourages
It was a pastoral visit during which actions spoke volumes. And it was a good thing that actions spoke, because the pastor did not utter a word. A pastor visited…
Grassroots visits
In this, my fourth year with Forward in Christ (FIC), there is a little bit of road in the rearview mirror. I can look back and assess what goals our…
Grace has a face
It has been described as “amazing” in a well-known hymn. Another hymn states that it has a thrilling sound. It is grace. A common definition of grace is “undeserved love.”…
God be praised for ev’rything
I imagine more than a few pastors fancy themselves to be would-be hymn writers. Count me in. Years ago, as a parish pastor, I worked up a hymn for a…
Walking together for 175 years
“Walking together on a path.” That is one definition of synod. You can recognize that word in Luke 2:44: “Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a…