BLOGS
February 1, 2026. Recent updates and editing of the website, along with the transfer of the site to a new hosting service, resulted in the loss of my WordPress blog application. All previous blogs have been recovered. Selected blogs will be edited and republished from time to time on this page, along with new blogs.
2026 Blogs
October 11. Sunday Morning Reflections: The Gospel of God's Grace
Paul's words to leaders in the Ephesian church (Acts 20:24): "Here's what matters in my life--I want to finish my race with joy, to complete the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." And again, in the same context, "I set before you the word of his grace which can build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are holy" (Acts 20:32).
A few years later in his letter to Ephesus (1:5-7), "He made possible our adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. May his glorious grace given to us in his Beloved Son be praised."
Did you notice the common thread? The gospel of God's grace, the Word of God's grace, the glorious grace of God. Do not miss it! The heart of the gospel is grace; the content of the message is grace, God's saving action in Jesus makes visible and exalts his glorious grace. Paul declares that the center, content, and consequence of the gospel is grace. Do we share the gospel of grace? As we worship and as we share Jesus, may we never forget. We are who we are and where we are by God's grace (1 Cor. 15:10). Put God's grace front and center (Gal. 2:21).
September 27. Sunday Morning Reflections from Psalm 131
[Psalms readings for Day 27 of the month: Psalms 131-135]
Today as every Sunday, I will assemble with my faith family to worship God. May my heart not be proud of what I have accomplished or of what I do. Pride alienates from God--Eden, Babel, throughout human history. May I not be presumptuous, as though what we do together is about us and how well we do it. May I not be tempted to think (if not to say) that my actions somehow contribute to what God has done, is doing, and will do in my life. I seek one thing -- to still and calm myself enough to see that my hope is, always has been, and will always be in the Lord.
September 20. Dwelling in the Word: 2026
On Friday, Jan and I completed our 2026 journey through the New Testament. "Dwelling in the Word" together has been especially meaningful to us this year.
Jan came home from inpatient rehab on March 18. We had barely begun our 2026 readings together, so we decided to start over! March 18 to September 18. Over the past six months (exactly!) we have shared readings and studies from every chapter in the New Testament.
Here are a few things we have observed. We read the same thing year after year, but it is always new and fresh as we discuss it. Our discussions are never repetitive-we are constantly challenged to grow spiritually. Reading and studying God's word is enjoyable-and even more so when shared. We have tended to linger longer this year-perhaps because we have purposefully limited our "to do" lists and obligations, giving us fewer things that were demanding our attention.
Over 100 days remain in 2026. There is still time to read through the New Testament in 2026 -- two or three chapters each day. Or just do what you can! Develop the habit of Bible reading. Become a student of God's Word. Let the Word of God dwell in your richly - and diligently dwell in the Word. You will find a blessing!
September 15. Sunday Reflections on Tuesday: Joyful Praise
Our Sunday morning past was a God-sighting! God showed himself in all his glory and splendor in his Word and his wonderful blessings. Jan and I share a few Sunday morning memories – we are still talking about it!
Early Sunday morning as we arose and prepared for worship; we listened to songs of praise and completed a Psalms reading for the day. Day 13 of the month, Psalm 61-65.
God continued to bless us with rain. The overnight rain continued into the earliest moments of the dawn. The conclusion of our reading touched our hearts.
(Psalm 65:8-13, abridged and paraphrased).
Even those who live in distant lands will hear of your wonderful works. As far as where the morning dawns and the evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
You care for the land and water it, enriching it with abundance. The streams are filled with water to provide all we need, as you have ordained it. You crown with bounty and overflowing abundance. The hills are clothed with gladness, the meadows covered with flocks, the valleys mantled again with green. Creation shouts for joy and sings!
Earlier in the morning reading, we had read Psalm 63:2-5. What a connection!
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest banquet. With singing lips my mouth will praise you!
Did you hear our world sing in the Sunday morning rain? Did you see? God drew us close. May we all seek a closer walk with God.
September 11. Miscellaneous Reflections from a Generalist
The phrase caught my attention because it often describes the direction of my life: "I am a writer here and there on this and that." Indeed! I would add: "I am a writer here and there on this and that from time to time."
I unabashedly admit it. I am a generalist. I want to know as much as possible about as many things as possible. My ideal is to know a little something about everything! (Impossible, of course!) Through the years, I have read extensively. I enjoy interdisciplinary studies. I like to discover new ways to integrate and connect ideas. Some days, I flit from one topic to another, amazed at the wealth of knowledge and variety of applications available in today's world. In my ministry and mission roles of teaching, preaching and writing, I discover lots of interesting connections.
Someone has to do the dissertations, drilling down to know more and more about less and less. I have often mused about the danger of learning more and more about less and less until you know everything about nothing.
As for me, give me the freedom to keep flitting a little while longer. I may not learn anything new, but then again, I may discover that the jigsaw puzzle fits together in more than one way.
August 30. It's Sunday Again: "The Right to Have a Point of View"
Jan and I enjoyed the movie, Music Within. The movie is based on the story of Richard Pimentel, a brilliant public speaker with a troubled past. When he returns from Vietnam severely hearing-impaired, he finds a new purpose in his landmark efforts on the behalf of Americans with disabilities. One line in the movie was especially memorable. During his years as a capable but arrogant student, he was told by one of his professors, "Go out and earn the right to have a point of view."
Not bad advice! Thinking of our faith walk, I would say it a bit differently. "Live life, live it fully, experience it completely with all of its victories and challenges. Look, observe, process, analyze, listen, learn. Develop an integrated spiritually-focused point of view, balanced and wise, the right to have a point of view. And then, Speak."
Dearest Father, Today I surrender myself anew before your throne, believing that only you can guide me to a right point of view! I will listen, I will learn. In worship I will touch reality, so that I can go forth into an unreal world that buffets us. Life will bring the joy of victories and the struggle of challenges. Your presence will be firm foundation, and thus I will speak truth with confidence, living out faith. Each week, renew me. Help me see clearly, embrace truth, and know what I am talking about, because of Jesus.
August 27. Why We Read the Bible and Pray
The words from Mark Bergin caught my attention: "And so we open the Scriptures and say our prayers, not in an effort to be with him, but because he is already with us."
What a wonderful truth, shining light clearly on a common misunderstanding of the Christian life. Bible reading and prayer is not a part of a daily checklist to be pleasing to God. For the Christian, communication with God is not courtship and seeking relationship. It is the faithful action of the bride of the Lamb seeking ever-deepening relationship and understanding, ever growing love.
August 23. It's Sunday Again: Stand in Awe
Psalm 65:8 says, "Even in the farthest parts of the earth marvel at your fearsome deeds, you make the sunrise and the sunset shout for joy."
This day we long passionately to encounter our marvelous magnificent God. We want to encounter You, because we need You. Another week of life convinces us. Help me see You, God, help me encounter You, bring me to Your throneroom. When I open your Word, open my mind to remind me of your faithful promises. May all that I am and say and do give honor and praise and glory, with overflowing gratitude. May I see your transcendence. Then I will bow and worship. Awesome -- no words come, only silence; no vivacious singing, only tears; no noise needed, only silence. To be still and humbly admit once again with certainty that You are God.
May our worship this day reflect in fresh ways our marvelous God, so awesome that we are often speechless with the emotion and beauty of being privileged to encounter You. Tears of gratitude flow. May we declare daily your deeds.
August 21. Where have all the heroes gone?
A few years ago a reporter interviewed a well-known sports figure who had had a run-in with the law and had received a lot of negative publicity. The reporter suggested that sports figures should avoid actions that set a negative example for youth because we expect our heroes to behave better. The sports figure responded, "I don't want to be a hero."
Where have all the heroes gone? Who are our heroes today? Does anyone want to be a hero? In my files, I found notes from a survey. Respondents were asked to select from a list of choices to describe what makes someone a hero. The most frequently cited responses challenge us as Christians.
Doing what's right regardless of personal consequences (89%).
Not giving up until the goal is accomplished (83%).
Doing more than what other people expect of them (82%).
Overcoming adversity (81%).
Staying level-headed in a crisis (81%).
August 20. Mornings with God: Psalm 5:3
Psalm 5:3: In the morning, O LORD, hear my voice. In the morning I lay my needs in front of you, and I wait.
Mornings have been special to me for over 30 years. When we emptied our nest, we quit setting an alarm clock. Now the natural rhythms of life put us to bed and awaken us, and "God-thoughts" are almost always a part of that rhythm. There are exceptional situations during special events or travels, but even so, we have become early risers by nature. The quietness of the morning is ideal for meditation and preparing for the day. I find comfort in being in God's presence, aware that he has kept watch through the night, aware that those who live in my little section of the world will soon awaken and begin the day. I enjoy his presence, his counsel, his care, his amazing forgiveness.
A phrase that pops up in my "God-thoughts" regularly is this, "Thank you, God, for being my God." We human beings choose our own God -- or god(s). By nature, all creation sings the glory of the Creator God. Yet God has given to human beings the freedom to choose our own God (gods). He has made possible the establishment, and reestablishment, of a special relationship of communion and fellowship with him.
May we live each day in "God awareness," comforted and surrounded by his presence and strength, seeking his will and guidance.
August 16. It's Sunday Again: Strengthened in the Spirit
Today I am thinking about Paul's prayer for the Ephesians: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (Eph. 3:16).
One of our goals this year as we live out God's little parenthesis has been to grow spiritually, to become stronger in the Spirit. One way we are doing that is by working through the New Testament, using my book, "Dwelling in the Word." I am also working through the Psalms -- reading, studying, analyzing, thinking about applications. And of course, I am using my new book, "Dwelling in the Psalms."
This year, even with unexpected challenges, has provided an opportunity to think about how we can find greater spiritual strength together. Paul writes that God strengthens us inwardly through his Spirit. How do we find and accept that strengthening? Surely it is not automatic! How do we cooperate with God in the effort? Each must find his or her own answer, but for us it involves being more in tune with and aware of God's presence in our lives. This involves listening to God, praying, daily connection with and awareness of him. We meditate on his word, contemplate his glory and majesty, become like him as we focus on him.
Time spent with God's people is a part of that process. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to lift hearts together in worship today. May the glory be yours now and forever in the church, and may we know the power that gloriously energizes and works within us!
August 15: Beginning Again
If you are waiting with bated breath for the next blog in this new series, you may be near blacking out! In all likelihood, the February beginning followed by a long pause has gone unnoticed.
Exactly six months have passed. Many readers know the reason! Soon after our Valentine's "anniversary" in February, Jan fell and broke her hip (upper femur). The past five and a half months have been anything but normal -- ambulance ride (her first!), ER, hospital (first hospital admission since giving childbirth), surgery, inpatient rehab for a couple of weeks, frequent visits by home health for another month, outpatient rehab for the past three months.
It is time to begin again in my attempt at regular postings on this page! "IYKYK. If you know you know. Or, those who know know!" Is there an echo in here? Another "anniversary" -- celebrating 114 years of marriage!
Near the end of his life, Paul wrote about "pressing toward the prize" (Phil. 3:12). That is life! This year, 2026, has been a year of recalibrating -- more than we anticipated. What is unchanged is our desire to "press on." In my second full-time preaching work, my arrival as the new preacher was announced by the elders with a renewal campaign: Keeping on keeping on! That is life; that is us.
May we live this day as a calm, joyful celebration of God's continuing presence and provision.
February 15: New Every Morning
IYKYK. If you know you know. Or, those who know know! Another "anniversary" -- celebrating 113 years of marriage!
I am grateful God continually gives us opportunities to find newness and refreshment in life on this planet. God wants us to find in each day its newness -- a day we have never seen before, a day we have never experienced before, a day that is a gift from God, a day that will bring new challenges and new opportunities. Too many days we struggle to see and experience God's renewal. Often our days have a certain sameness and routine, even boredom.
In the midst of a lament over the destruction of Jerusalem, Jeremiah wrote about the daily renewal of the fresh mercies of God (Lam. 3:22-24).
Today, and every day, I want to see newness! Sunday! The same activities -- or are they? New every morning, new challenges. We focus on the externals when the core of the renewed life is the newness made possible by our walk with God through Christ -- his presence, divine prayer communication, our shared commitments, our single purpose, the desire to do only what he wants--what pleases him--and only that which brings him glory!
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