Pastor Terry had planned what she thought would be an excellent children’s message for the fourth Sunday of Advent. She intended to show the children and the congregation the vital importance of paying attention to the signs of the coming Child that God gives us. Her key verse was Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore, God will give…
Do you remember the very first time you changed the oil in your own car? For some of us, it was a big deal. One hot summer day, a young pastor decided to change the oil in his car for the very first time in his life. He had purchased five quarts of oil, a…
I’d like you to think about God’s promised action in the wilderness. The wilderness is a rocky, dry and barren space. In the same day, temperatures may vary from a blazing 100 degrees to nearly freezing at night. Food and water are scarce. Wild beasts and even bandits prowl around seeking to attack unsuspecting travelers….
A popular skit at camps involves about a dozen folks lined up side-by-side, looking anxious and frustrated facing the audience. Each person rests a left elbow on the right shoulder of their neighbor. Then, from left to right, each member asks, “Is it time yet?” When the question arrives at the end of the line,…
Last week, I was getting coffee at Starbucks like I normally do, in and out, no problem. This particular day there was a line that was longer than usual; I came out to my car, just as a parking ticket was being placed on my windshield because I didn’t put a quarter in the parking…
A hotel in Budapest was having problems with its elevator. Because most of the guests spoke at least some English, the owner put up a sign. However, either she had a sense of humor or she wasn’t very fluent in English. The sign read, “The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that…
Though historical information is sketchy, some studies believe the practice of trick or treating comes from the Middle Ages, when the poor would go from door to door receiving food in exchange for their prayers for the families’ departed, in order to help them get into heaven and out of purgatory. In some places it…
I know people who are addicted to watching the news. I mean, they flip from one news channel to the next, get newsmagazines, read articles online and get texts and tweets about breaking headlines. You know what they’ve found? They’re more informed, yes, but they are also more depressed. Sometimes it seems that our world…
Have you ever wanted to get back at someone who’s embarrassed you in front of your peers? In the book of Matthew there’s a story about when the rule-keeping religious leaders had been silenced by Jesus, another group called the Pharisees gathered together. They gathered together to try to come up with a question that…
In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells a story about a man who went on a journey. Before he left, the tough task master entrusted his possessions to three of his servants. To one, he gave five talents (a talent is around $1,000). To another, he gave two talents. And to the third, he gave…
