Their parents must have taught them right, at least partly right. A while back, a lady in Saint Paul Minnesota had a package she had been waiting for, stolen off her porch. That seems to be more common these days, which is unfortunate. The strange thing about the story is the thief left a thank…
Banning Pets
I read an interesting article entitled: Should We Stop Keeping Pets?The article revolved around a book by Dr. Jessica Pierce entitled: Run, Spot Run, which looks at the moral and ethical problems surrounding pet ownership.Pierce writes, “When we see our cats gazing wistfully out the window, or watch a goldfish swim lazy circles in a…
Finding Time
A while back someone asked me why I wear a watch when I could find the time on my phone.The fact that I like the look of watches seemed a little shallow, so I replied: it not only tells me the time, it saves me time.They looked at me quizzically, so I elaborated. When I…
And the Ground Hog Said . . .
Last Sunday was one of those days that generated a buzz. People were talking about it, and even people who usually have no interest in the subject weighed in. There are those who place the utmost faith in what happens that day and others who say it’s just a bunch of hokum. (Hokum is a…
Your Pillar of Fire
Pillar of Fire It was 1987, I was pastoring in Truro, and co-chairing a young adult’s event just outside of Washington, DC. I had been in DC for the weekend, looking at hotels and meeting space, and I was making my way back to Allentown, Pennsylvania, with my co-chair, Dwight Addington. Dwight pastored Bethany Wesleyan…
Cheer Up!
I stumbled across an article on the National Geographic website this week, entitled, “Can religion make you happy? Scientists may soon find out.” The gist of the article was that social scientists have discovered that people who are active in religious congregations tend to be happier than those who are unaffiliated or are inactive members…
Make the Golden Rule Golden Again
It’s 2025, and apparently, it’s all about “me.” Perusing today’s headlines, I was amazed—I know I shouldn’t be—at how many people demand that others think and act like them. Some were outraged at the performers who chose to perform at the US inauguration this week, and there were calls to boycott their music. When it was…
Around a Charcoal Fire
The smell of charcoal enveloped him as he stepped closer to the fire. And in a rush, it all came back. He was no longer standing on a beach, instead he was sitting around a charcoal fire outside the home of the Caiaphas, the high priest. And it was there that he did the unthinkable:…
Recapture the Wonder
As I was flying to Johannesburg last week, I pulled the map up on the seat back display, and it told me, we were flying at 12,000 metres, at 860 km per hour and it was -59 outside. And I didn't even blink. That seemed relatively normal. Not! At that point, I realized I had…
To South Africa . . . for the Weekend.
Well, I’m in South Africa for the weekend. Literally for the weekend.Earlier this week, I flew to Johannesburg to spend three days in business meetings and then to fly home. It might not sound like fun to you, but for me, it is an awesome privilege and responsibility.I am here representing the Wesleyan Church of…