The Building is Not the Church

Many church buildings will be empty Easter Sunday. No services, no communion service, no traditional Easter hymns, no beautiful lilies, no sermons glorifying the Resurrected Christ and calling all to seek Him. Just silence. The most sacred day of the year will still arrive. Sunday is coming. The event in history it memorializes still happened. … Continue reading The Building is Not the Church

Callouses

My hands have become soft! Before I retired I used all sorts of hand tools, screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, and occasionally a shovel or spade. My hands were calloused. The places on my palms and fingers that received the greatest friction most often became covered with a tough, thick layer of skin, and it wasn't necessary … Continue reading Callouses

Comparisons

There is a lot of reporting about churches being closed in different parts of the country, and at least one pastor in Florida being arrested for "endangering other people" (meaning his congregation) and disobeying social distancing laws and shut-down orders made by the governor. People (at least older people) remember the accounts coming out of … Continue reading Comparisons

Out My Window

The robins are flitting around in their mating ritual; the two turtle doves have returned to the blue spruce in the front yard; the finches have returned to the next door neighbor's feeders, and the blackbirds and the squirrels are raiding the back yard neighbor's feeder (not that she minds). And the sparrows, those year-round … Continue reading Out My Window

Bear Hunting

The story goes about a man who was bear hunting and had hired a local guide. They saw a big bear over on the next hill, within range, and the guide said "Take your shot." The man did so, and wounded the bear, which turned and ran straight at the hunters in a roaring rage. … Continue reading Bear Hunting

Understanding the Times

David had been banished from the presence of King Saul. Jealousy and suspicion drove Saul to mistrust David, even though Saul had liked David and promoted him to a high rank in his army. After David slew the giant Goliath an evil spirit began to influence Saul and eventually drove him to try to kill … Continue reading Understanding the Times

Sanctuary Promise

The term 'sanctuary' today has some negative connotations to some people, but to others it seems to be good intent. There is one sanctuary – the True Sanctuary – that means the same for whomever enters into it. The Sanctuary of God. Asaph (aw-sawf) was one of the three men King David put in charge … Continue reading Sanctuary Promise

Love Who??

A six-year-old returned home from church with his family, and his mother asked “What did you learn in Sunday School today?” Immediately came the reply with some amazement “Mom, we're supposed to love our emenies!!” Mom (wisely overlooking the mispronunciation at this learning moment) said “Yes, that's what it says in the Bible.” “But MOM! … Continue reading Love Who??

Hidden In Love

In 1890 Fanny Crosby (Frances J.) composed a wonderful hymn called He Hideth My Soul. Based on the account of Moses in Exodus 33 when Moses asked to see God's Glory. 18Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Moses up to this point had been a little grumpy, it seems. He was concerned; this … Continue reading Hidden In Love

The Incense of Prayer

When you walk into many yoga studios you are immediately greeted with a pleasant-smelling aroma caused by burning incense. Incense comes from the Latin word(s) meaning “to burn” (incendium, incendi, incendere for example), and it is a mixture of an aromatic substance and a combustible material that binds it all together, usually on a stick … Continue reading The Incense of Prayer