As I sit today on my back porch working on my upcoming sermon, I find myself thinking a bit differently about the back porch which I love. This last year I was able to replace the screens with windows. I always loved my screened porch but the windows allow me to spend more time there. It is easily my favorite room in my house. 

The month of September is National Suicide Prevention month. I was reminded of that this week as I, along with other United Methodist clergy in Indiana, were informed that this week one of our own clergy, 24 year old Rev. Jarrid Wilson, took his own life. This leaves me with much sadness that Jarrid was experiencing such hopelessness that led to this result and such sadness for his family and friends who now grief his loss. 

A beautiful tent was arranged to the south of the main church building for the worship experience last Sunday.  The beautiful white tent is a perfect metaphor for God’s church. What a perfect visual as we launch the upcoming sermon series “Won’t you be My Neighbor”.

Archived Posts

What Jessica Really Meant to Say in Her Sermon…

          When Jessica or Rick or a guest preacher takes the pulpit it’s hard for me to write a One More Thing Blog.  I can’t share with you what didn’t make it into the sermon because I have no idea, not having written or delivered it. 

Jesus Keeps On Ruining Funerals!

       I didn’t have anything this last week that didn’t end up in the sermon.  No catchy illustrations that didn’t make the cut.  No theological insights that slowed down the main point.  No one can ruin a funeral like Jesus. Told as I saw it and that was it.  So I did some quick research and I thought I’d share just a reminder of what Easter is all about.

When I Don’t Get To Give My Benediction

          Yesterday’s sermon talked about how we are in the thrall of self-centeredness—caught in a system that rewards those who climb to the top, even when you have to climb on the back of others.  I talked about a famous sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, ....

Some Good Quotes that I Didn’t Get To Last Sunday

          I have been working out of Adam Hamilton’s excellent book, Why Did Jesus Have to Die?  And when I find something that says what I want to say more succinctly and expressively than I can, I like to quote it... 

Good Stuff that Didn’t Make the Cut

          I liked what I’d put together below, but ran out of time to share in Sunday’s sermon.  Remember we were talking about the Old Adam and the New Adam, Jesus.