"Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) There are many things in life that cause frustration. Whether it’s problems at work, school, with a spouse, other family members, or even at church or in our community, our difficulties and challenges can be so overwhelming that at times we may feel that we just want to quit! A few years ago, a ministry colleague sent me the following story that reminded me of the value of never giving up.  I pass it on in the hopes that you’ll find it valuable, as well:   ..read more

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) Some of you may have seen the following article that made the “email rounds” a number of years ago, but I find it particularly pertinent and timely in our task and calling as Christians in light of the hosting and playing of the XXXIIIrd Olympiad in Paris, France: “If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, then the world would be compromised of... 57 Asians 21 Europeans 8 Africans 14 from the Western Hemisph ..read more

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord….” (Psalm 33:12) As we celebrate America’s birth, I invite us to remember that for most of its history, our nation was and has been distinctly “Christian” in spirit (even if not always in practice).  This is the source of the popular phrase “Christian America.” It does not mean that every American was, or is (or needs to be) a Christian in either belief or practice.  Nor does it mean that those who are/were are from immune from hypocrisy, misuse, and misappropriation of the gospel in their practice of faith. Nor does it mean that people ..read more

“Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. [Instead,] take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 6:4, The Message) When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame. A female angel nearby said, "What kind of father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping.” And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child-size, who w ..read more

  “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God -- not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) In the Bible, the number seven is often used as a symbol of perfection.  I will leave to your interpretation whether or not you feel that’s applicable to what I’m writing here.  However, as a life-long United Methodist Christian, I can honestly say that the tradition in which I was raised, found Christ, and have -- ever since – grown in my faith is as close as this as humanly possible.   Yes, it h ..read more

 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5) As many of you already know, yesterday (May 1) our United Methodist Church’s General Con ..read more

"What has come into being in [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:3-5) One of the great experiences that I had with fellowship staff, family, and friends this past Monday, April 8th was to watch the partial solar eclipse together outside from the church parking lot.  While we here in Georgia did not have a total (100%) eclipse like some places experienced around in the U.S. west and north of us, it was still an impressive sight and experience! (You’ll see in this article some of the ..read more

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above To bear it to dark Calvary. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see, For' twas on that old cross ..read more

  VIEW VIDEO HERE ..read more

"The Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen…” (Luke 2:20) “Sing we now of Christmas, Noel sing we here Sing our grateful praises to the maid so dear. Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel! From the Eastern kingdoms come the wise men far Bearing ancient treasure following yonder star. Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel! From the distant mountains hear the trumpet sound With angelic blessings on the silent town. Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel! Sing we now ..read more