After a recent day of heavy rain I saw a local TV news report about a flooded apartment building. The video showed a stream of water flowing out the door of an apartment. My heart ached for those dealing with such a problem, but my mind went back to one morning some years ago when I encountered a similar sight.

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” (Psalm 14:1, NIV). This is without doubt, one of the harshest verses found in Holy Scripture.

Though I had never heard of him, the church lost a great ecumenical leader when Pablo Sosa died at the age of 85 on Jan. 11. Pablo Sosa was an Argentinian Methodist pastor who became a leader within the global church. He did so not by any great speeches that he gave but through the hymns that he wrote.

One Sunday Toni was cleaning up after worship. As I entered the sacristy, I could tell something was bothering her. When I asked her, she told me how angry she was about something I said in my sermon.

In Genesis 8:22 God is responding to Noah’s offering, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."

Last weekend my wife and I went to see the newest Star Wars movie. Obviously we’re not die-hard fans of that saga since we waited several weeks after its release for the crowds to thin out before viewing the film. Nor did we dress up in appropriate costumes as our kids did for one of the pre…

This past week I read a letter by a young woman who was distraught over losing a friend because she (the young woman writing the letter) had lost her faith.

Several years ago astronomers announced the discovery of a new planet.

On New Year’s morning I turned on the TV to hear a news anchor optimistically declare, “It’s going to be a good year!” However, as I heard the morning headlines, I could see why someone could come away with a very different prognosis. 

The New Year brings new hope for many people.

Last week we celebrated Epiphany and the visit of the Magi. Amongst the liturgical churches, this week we celebrate the baptism of Jesus.

So, why was Jesus baptized?

Another year has just begun. Happy 2020. I fear this year is going to be a contentious one since it is an election year.

Though most Americans think that Dec. 25 was the end of Christmas, it actually was only the beginning.

The Biblical account of the fall that led to the eviction from Garden of Eden is the lot of all who are cursed with the prolific wildflower we feature today.

Have you seen the recent TV commercial for a virtual reality system?

Christmas is over. Up next is New Year's Day. I hope your Christmas was a good one. For many Christmas is all about getting together with family and friends, the celebration, the gifts, and the familiar Christmas songs. If that all Christmas is, however, now that the day is over, there is that post-Christmas let-down.

Sometimes life feels like a drought, and the weight of our troubles bends us over.

In honor of my new grandson, I would like to challenge you to join me in making this a “Theo” year – a year “of God”. God has given you this year – what would it mean for you to dedicate it to Him? What would it mean for you to live your life in such a way that it is “of God”?

For many people, the Twelve Days of Christmas only represents an irritating song that seems to last forever.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a figurine of the Holy Family. In this particular scene, Joseph is holding the baby Jesus while Mary is sleeping by his side.

Allow me to elaborate further on the verse in last week’s article. The King James Version of the Bible says in John 3:17, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” In other translations the words “(not) to condemn” are broa…

Our young grandson has been enthralled with Frosty the Snowman during this Christmas season.

There seems to be a debate that is growing. Every Christmas I receive emails and comments questioning whether or not Christians should be celebrating Christmas.

During the season of Advent, those of us in liturgical churches have two weeks in which we hear the call – the cries – of John the Baptist.

If you struggle with the miracle of a virgin birth, let me remind you that the nature of a miracle is something that defies normal explanation.

I have been enjoying listening to Christmas music on the radio lately…for the most part. 

Each of us has contact with people who never look beyond our appearance.

It’s a time to prepare for Christ’s coming – not just the celebration of His birth, but also His future return into the world. We should be thinking about getting our houses in order because Jesus is coming.

Once again, 2,019 years after the facts, there will still be those debating the account of Jesus’ birth.

Advent is the four-week period before Christmas. Within liturgical traditions, it also begins a new church year. Yes, Advent is about waiting and preparation. But waiting and preparing for what?

The Bible is very direct in its statements regarding the sovereignty of God. 

So if you have faith, any faith at all, treasure it and don’t lose it. If faith is yours, don’t let it slip away.

The Psalmist led the congregation of Israel to praise God for the beauty He provided.

By time you read this article, we would have celebrated another Thanksgiving in our country.

Gratitude is about more than attitude. Gratitude is a way of life.

Thanks is a good word because it acknowledges that we can’t make it by ourselves.

I had the opportunity to babysit my young grandson recently. Although he’s talking more and is better able to communicate what he wants, his vocabulary is understandably limited since he’s still less than 2 years old.

I have had the privilege for 28 years now to lead Gateway Community Church.

So what is step one in addressing this destructive societal dilemma of division? For me, the suggestion is kindness.

Have you seen the faith, hope and trust in the unlikeliest of places?

For us to be believers means that we abide in The Vine.

Recently I watched an episode of an old TV comedy show in which the wife was feeling like her husband was taking her for granted.

As I have grown older, I have become more humbled by the many verses in the Bible that can be summed up in the single phrase, God is love.

In addition to disease-carrying contagions which are sometimes present in the air we breathe, there are other infectious spirits and attitudes in the world around us which we need to guard against.

As I write this article, the big news is the death of Al Baghdadi. 

I believe in Antichrist.

I do not believe in THE Antichrist.

This verse reminds us of God’s mercy. It is not temporary, that is, here today and gone tomorrow.

I was present with a family as they dealt with the agony of saying goodbye to a loved one as he left this world and entered eternity.

You probably have not heard of Thea Bowman (1937–1990).

Bottom line: we all need a Savior and the only religion in the world that offers us a savior is Christianity.