Category Archives: Uncategorized

Put these 4 in your pocket … believe me, you’ll need them!

[This religion column appears in section B-3 of today’s (2/03/13) Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.  Currently, the paper does not include their local columnists pieces on their website.  With their permission, here it is.] —–        At my dad’s 80th birthday party a few years ago on a cold January day, more than 100 friends gathered to wishContinueContinue reading “Put these 4 in your pocket … believe me, you’ll need them!”

Dare you to insert your own name

Marching through Luke’s Gospel in my morning reading, I got stopped cold in my tracks this morning.  It happened about 5am as I read Luke 22:54-62 in the English Standard Version…—–54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when theyContinueContinue reading “Dare you to insert your own name”

Be careful about putting your leaders on a high pedestal

Working with pastors and leaders, I see things.  Do I ever.  Such as: * People being jealous of them.  Sometimes they are.  Well, don’t be.  I got stories.  Let me tell you.* People thinking they don’t blow it.  Have you ever met a human who didn’t blow it?  Come one.  Everybody blows it.  In caseContinueContinue reading “Be careful about putting your leaders on a high pedestal”

Visiting Mazatlan, Mexico (a few more pics!)

The front of Kyle and Ellen Benefield’s houseHere are a couple more pictures from my trip to Mazatlan, Mexico, in Mid-January, where I visited Kyle, Ellen, Ethan and August Benefield.  Benefields have lived in Mazatlan five-and-a-half years … This was my 6th trip to Mazatlan.Looking from the Benefield driveway to the bus stop about aContinueContinue reading “Visiting Mazatlan, Mexico (a few more pics!)”

Thinking about changing something?

Dave Jacobs (davejacobs.net) coaches pastors. The man knows how to ask great questions, regardless of what you do.  Like these 10 to ask yourself before implementing change:What problem am I hoping this change will address?Am I sure that the above problem is the real problem and not merely a symptom of the real problem?Why doContinueContinue reading “Thinking about changing something?”

This is why not many should be teachers … (James 3)

Today pastor John Piper tweeted:  “First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” Matt. 23:26. The great war is within.* He’s right.  Makes you think of what Jesus said:  “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” The other day a pastor I coachContinueContinue reading “This is why not many should be teachers … (James 3)”

Believe it or not, you do take yourself with you wherever you go

Today I want you to think about your talents and then to put your thoughts into a prayer.  Here’s how it works.  Read the 4 following short quotations and then write a brief prayer.  My prayer is below these quotations.  Here we go… * “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you comeContinueContinue reading “Believe it or not, you do take yourself with you wherever you go”