Shepherds used a staff to guide flocks to good grazing land. With the crook of the staff, a lamb was rescued. Always carrying a rod, they were prepared to fight off wild animals, and robbers. David our psalmist, had used these tools as he cared for his father’s flock. He remembered the many times, he […]
Jeremiah is the Biblical book for pastors going through rough stretches in their churches. Jeremiah knew something about hostility, resentment and push back when he spoke an unpopular word. His woes have a way of putting mine into perspective. The unfolding story of Jeremiah’s faithful persistence encourages me. There were days when he despaired of […]
My parents – never set out to build a fishing resort. My dad had been in the army for five years when WWII ended. After discharge, the family moved back to the home town, and started looking for a way to make a living. They bought an old rickety house on the lake. After enclosing […]
Shiphrah and Puah are two of my favorite women in the Bible. They are courageous midwives who defy Pharaoh. Their story is recorded in the very first chapter of Exodus. Pharaoh had instructed them to kill every newborn baby boy born to Hebrew women. They not only defy him, but when asked to explain why […]
Jeremiah had the unenviable task of speaking truth to a people convinced of their own wisdom and invincibility. From the beginning of his prophetic ministry, he called people to repentance. Jeremiah sees visions of destruction and defeat. Attempting to turn people from the darkness of their ways, back to God, he warns of impending disaster […]
“For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, […]
Grief has been too present in my extended family this past year, leaving grieving parents and grieving young adult children. One so sudden and unexpected, the other the discouraging too fast journey of cancer. One a small child, the other in mid life . . . both taken too soon. I’ve walked […]
A Pastor's Heart 