Apprentice 2 Jesus

Thanksgiving

  • Thankfulness

    A great exercise on Facebook is thanking God for something every day in November. I don’t do it. I know I will miss something. But I was thinking about people and WHO I am thankful for. I jotted down names in my journal, giving thanks for each one, and honestly thinking maybe I could just… Read more

  • There and Back

    I mentioned last week the incredible surprise our church and city gave us for our 15th anniversary as pastors and 25th wedding anniversary. It was a “there and back” trip that was all too quick, and beyond imagination for us. We are so immensely grateful to everyone who gave so much to treat Terri and… Read more

  • Look! A Barth Post!

    Finally, I have braved the thought of trying to pick up Barth again. About every 300 pages I find something I understand… or I think I understand. I don’t know why I’m trying to pick up Barth again. My life is so crammed full of stuff, this isn’t exactly devotional reading. But for today, I try to look… Read more

  • Happy Thanksgiving from Madea

    I can’t resist posting this again this year.   Read more

  • The danger of presuming on God

    In Luke 17 there is the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus. Only one came back to give thanks. 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud… Read more

  • The World in Upheaval at a Time of Thanksgiving

    It is a world at boiling point… again. The Middle East is erupting. The job market is threatening to teeter once again with huge layoffs and company closings. The U.S. faces the “fiscal cliff.” There is no better time to pause… take a breath… and give thanks. We give thanks for the One who holds… Read more

  • Thanks for Incredible Partners in Ministry

    This week I was able to take part in two meetings that continually bless my life. Every month during the school year we have our local pastors get together for lunch. That was yesterday. Not everyone can make it, but over the years we have built solid friendship in spite of our perceived theological differences.… Read more

  • The Broken Promises of Humanity and the Majesty of Our God

    Today’s reading was once again out of the Deuterocanonical Books. I have found the Common English Bible to be a great help in reading a portion of text I am unfamiliar with in my tradition. It keeps me aware of the importance of good translations that are easier to read. Sirach 43 is a tribute… Read more

  • The Best of Holidays

    Thanksgiving is just a great holiday. Retail is trying like mad to make it as insignificant as possible, but Thanksgiving is still a great holiday. It is about food, fun, conversation, family, and friends. No gifts. No big music tied to the holiday. Just joy. Stop. Pause. Breathe. Take a nap. Enjoy the conversation. And… Read more

  • A Proclamation

    WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States… Read more