Pastor’s Blog
Abortion Madness
On January 22nd, our nation commemorated the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It is one of the darker days on our nation’s calendar—perhaps the darkest. Those who proudly call themselves “Pro Choice” celebrate a decision that has taken the life of well over 50 million babies since that fateful day in 1973. Over 1 […]
Ina and Frances
I went looking for Ina. We’d never met. I was visiting her at the request of an old friend. Ina is dying, serving out her last days at a local convalescent home. She was in room #221. When I walked in, there were two beds separated by a curtain. I asked the first lady, “Are […]
Seasons
Many appreciate the four seasons—distinct times when the calendar gives way to different weather. The seasons offer different opportunities and blessings. Fall is football and changing leaves. Winter is Christmas and snow. Spring is Easter, flowers, and the promise of warmer weather. Summer is sunshine and BBQ’s. Seasons can disappoint, too. We have expectations. Spring […]
Gray Haired Saints
Last week I spoke at a “Men’s Prayer Breakfast”; actually, there were two women mixed in with the 35 or so men—so let’s just call it a prayer breakfast. This group represents several different churches throughout Tacoma and has been meeting for 43 years. That’s no typo. Every Wednesday except for the occasional holiday that […]
Tired Sermons
I’m no movie critic. But I am a pastor. That means I still get to comment on movies. Even though I took a class in college called “Introduction to American Film,” my opinions on plot, character development, cinematography, and the like are, well…no better than just opinion. The pastor in me, however, gets to make […]
Toupees and Artichokes
Toupees have been around for a long time. Wikipedia says we have archaeological proof man has been putting someone else’s hair on his head since 3,100 BC. They attribute it to the world’s “long-standing bias against balding.” Roman poet Ovid wrote The Art of Love about the time Jesus was born. He wrote: “Ugly are […]
Hats
Hats do more than cover up an old man’s bald spot or conceal a woman’s bad hair day. They can designate responsibility. State patrol officers wear a good-sized brimmed hat. I suspect it is this way so the rain doesn’t get in their eyes when they’re writing us a speeding ticket. What I do know […]
Give Me Sober
Lakewood Church in Houston is the nation’s largest church (43,500 members). The face, voice, and smile (literally) of the congregation are Joel and Victoria Osteen. In a recent message to the mammoth congregation, Mrs. Osteen said: I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it […]
Fake or Real?
“In Matthew 25, Jesus tells three parables: The Parable of the Ten Virgins, the Parable of the Talents, and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. The Ten Virgins parable ends this way: ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you’ (vv. 11-12). The […]
KISS
A front page article from this week’s newspaper concerned released sex offenders in our community. As I recall, there are somewhere around 2,500 in our county. They have to register and inform law enforcement where they live. The article exposed the fact that only three detectives are assigned oversight of these individuals. Do the math. […]
Our Butt in the Pew
As parents, there are times we must discipline our children. The Scriptures speak to this often, especially in the Proverbs (Prov. 13:24, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15, and 29:17). Undisciplined children don’t bring much joy to anyone and will find it difficult to navigate life even when older. A faithful parent disciplines directly. That is, he uses […]
Preparing for the Lord’s Supper
A Puritan Paperback by Thomas Watson, The Lord’s Supper is a treatise that explains the importance, personal preparation, comfort, and ends of the Lord’s Supper. In one section of the book on preparing for the Lord’s Supper, Watson gives believers a list of ten ways they should prepare themselves for the Lord’s Supper (or as […]