My Sunday column in today's Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette gives thought to how it is we might consider courageously facing our "retirement" years...

L to R: Melany Jackson, Don Follis, Coach Matt BollantOn Tuesday evening, Melany Jackson (L) and Illini women's basketball coach Matt Bollant (R) greeted & welcomed 90 guests at our annual Pastor-to-Pastor Initiatives picnic at the NE Urbana home of Brad and Kim Houk, great friends to Jennifer and me, and to our ministry...It wasContinue reading "Pastor-to-Pastor Annual Picnic!"

"I realized that joy does not arise because sadness is absent.  Joy arises because in the midst of sadness, hope reminds us that that night, no matter how long or how dark, always gives way to morning."Sarah Thebarge ... Terrific writer, world traveler, careful observer of people, Physician's assistant, practicing medicine in Togo this summer. 

How do you re-draw your map when life does not go your way?  Last week I heard a sermon at First Presbyterian Church in Champaign, IL, by Dr. James Tebbe about redrawing your map.  I was so intrigued I turned it into my Sunday column for the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. 

My pastor friend John Piippo said recently:"The core experience of Jesus, the moment that sustained him through his brief life on earth, happened at his baptism. Heaven was opened, the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove, and the voice of the Father said: “This is my Son, whom I love; with himContinue reading "The Father loved the Son, and the Father loves us!"

I knew this guy who loved to sing all out in worship services.  Hands raised, dancing, kneeling.  He said, "It's all or nothing during worship, baby."But I also knew this fellow had some tough personal relationships with people that he did not deal with.  I thought,  "Dude, you can't have it both ways.  You can'tContinue reading "Don’t sugar-coat your conflicts by worshiping more intensely…"

When I am feeling sad about my own brokenness, I often think of what pastor/writer Mark Roberts calls the saddest verse in the Bible -- Genesis 3:8.  People often ask me, "What's your favorite, most meaningful Bible verse?"  I do have a few, but today we consider the saddest verse:“They heard the sound of theContinue reading "Sometimes we sit with this sad news…"

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone,”(Romans 12:8).Of course it doesn't all depend on us, does it?  There are all kinds of people within the sphere of your life with whom you are in contact every single day.I think the best response to this verse isContinue reading "As far as it depends on you…"