Coming to the Still Waters

  Not so flattering picture of me (I am dealing with "it" at the moment) but it is a grand flag.  Don't tell my dad but this is his birthday present for making it 91 years!  It is completely made in the USA and I am sure he will love putting it out each day, weathering permitting, at his mobile in Florida.  He served in the Navy and the Marines and I couldn't think of a better way to start the post with than a reminder of those who serve us in this way.  My heart breaks for families who have gotten news of their soldier's ultimate sacrifice this last week and also for those who are searching for ways to get their loved ones home.  It makes "it" seem like nothing in the scope of things. This is the company and this is one quality flag.  The pole is white ash from Vermont.  Not sponsored by them or anyone but check them out if you are looking to replace your flag.  https://www.showallegiance.com/  I am looking forward to presenting it to h...

  I kind of knew at some point I might be back to setting up another make shift studio for recording some sermons.  "It" caught up with us so we are dealing with it.  ZOOM has come back into my life also with at least 5 meetings this week!   With so much going on in our world, we find ourselves praying all the more for the advancement of God's kingdom through the local body of believers.  These havens of hope keep us grounded to the message that is eternal.  Keeping focused on proclaiming the gospel in a world that is pushing so many things onto our plates to navigate has become challenging but we are praying for some new stories to tell that come out of the fellowship. The practice of inserting a stand-alone sermon between the chapters of James I think has been beneficial to address some topics that might be better to talk about now rather than later.  After chapter 1 came a sermon on the sacrament of communion; after chapter 2 came a sermon on...

  After Sunday's sermon and standing in the foyer greeting people, I was presented with this beautiful artwork from the children who were in children's church.  I have received these over the years and I am always taken back by the love of the children.  I am thankful for the parents and workers who help our children understand the importance of the church leadership in their lives.  I do think as a church leader that I need to take seriously how I connect with the "little ones" of the church.  Jesus, at times, stopped everything to pull them up onto His lap.  A good question to ask myself as a church leader, "What are my connection points with those who are below my usual line of sight?" We finished up the 4th chapter of James this Sunday which means next Sunday will be a stand-alone sermon before heading into chapter 5.  I am thinking about preaching on what true Christian fellowship looks like and why it is so important.   This week we ad...

  For my friends in Maine they will recognize the water bottle I grabbed for this bicycle ride.  Summer-time brings opportunities for activities like these and I find myself in the land of bike trails.  I bought this bike for the flat lands of Zephyrhills and therefore it is a single speed but I have been standing on the pedals to get up some of the Ohio hills! This ride took me along this beautiful river flowing toward Lake Erie.  It is a little odd riding on a trail through the woods but at times hearing the cars above you traveling over the interstate bridges.  In places like these, the green spaces provided for us are so precious.  It helps me to reset my mind.  A couple miles from the church is a 3 mile hiking trail that has been my "go to" to spend some time to think and pray.  It reminds me of my 2 mile walks from the accommodations provided by the church in Maine to the church building which was used to speak to God vertically while ...