For the past few days, I have spent my time in Scripture focused on the last week, the week we call “Holy Week.” This is the week from Palm Sunday when Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time and Easter Sunday when Jesus is raised from the dead. In particular, I have been focused on Luke’s version of the Last Supper and what happens in the upper room on the night before Jesus is crucified. If you are curious this is Luke 22:7-38. Most of us know the part of the story where Jesus, as they are sharing the meal together, breaks bread and passes the cup. This is the part of the story we remember every time we share … Read More
Harvesting What You Sow
Harvesting What You Sow So last week, my family took part in the Lent Workshop where we made resurrection gardens. We had a great time as a family, and I was glad that so many others participated as well. A part of the gardens is some seeds that we planted in the dirt. At our house, we have been diligently watering them, and we are beginning to see sprouts grow out of the dirt. Noah, in particular, has been extremely excited when he started to see the sprouts sticking up through the ground. But that got me thinking about something else. Something else happened this week that made me really proud as a father and also a pastor. First, a … Read More
Answering the Call
The life of discipleship is all about answering the call. We first answer this call when we start our journey of faith. The life of any disciple begins when we first answer the call of Jesus, to come and follow him. As we live our life of discipleship, we answer the call time and time again. I was baptized as a baby, but I answered the call to follow Jesus during confirmation. As a pastor, I also answered a different kind of call, a call to ministry. Answering this call meant going to seminary and going through the process of ordination in The United Methodist Church. Time and time again, as a pastor, I have answered many calls. Calls for … Read More
Leadership Institute
From September 26th till the 28th, I was blessed to attend the Leadership Institute at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. It was an added blessing to be able to take a portion of oar church staff. Melanie Schroder (Church Secretary) and Summer DeLavan (Children’s Director & Wee Care) were also able to make the trip. The trip was well worth it. We had a great time, and we learned a lot that will hopefully help our church and its ministries. Two years ago, I went to The Leadership Institute with the staff from FUMC Decatur, and I thought that it was one of the best ministry conferences that I have ever attended. I was wanting … Read More
Hassle or God Thing?
Last weekend, the “Check engine” light came on in Laura’s car. Big hassle, right? It always a big ordeal to take your car in for service or to call a plumber or electrician for your house. While I am very grateful to all of those who “Come and save the day,” I don’t really know anyone who looks forward to taking your car in for service. (If you do, I can connect you with a good counselor) So, Laura took the car in and the diagnostics told us that the gas cap wasn’t sealing correctly. When they looked at it, they found that the seal had been warped slightly. It was caused by someone screwing the cap on while the … Read More
