A Reason for Hope in 2024

Some of you are like me.   (I know because we have conversed on this matter.)  “The matter” of which I write is the pessimism we have felt for the past three years, when it comes to watching television news or reading a newspaper.   We were former “news junkies,” who normally spent many hours giving our rapt attention to news programs. I frequently fought guilt for placing so much of my attention on these temporary affairs that “burn hot” briefly and then fade into a forgo

Exploring the Christmas Narrative: Using the Bible, Culture, and History to Separate Fact From Fiction

Exploring the Christmas Narrative: Using the Bible, Culture, and History to Separate Fact From Fiction 

The Christmas story holds a special place in the hearts of many. As the festive season of Christmas rolls in, it's enveloped in a rich tapestry of traditions, stories, and imagery. However, it's fascinating to note how certain elements of this story, as commonly told, are not explicitly found in the Biblical accounts. Here are five common elements that we should hold loos

September Blog

When asked in the early fourth century what three graces a minister needs most, Augustine (the 4th Century Theologian who helped develop many of our theologies, like the Trinity) didn’t think twice before responding, “Humilitas; humilitas; humilitas.” When it came to the necessary graces for ministry, the great African bishop awarded humility with gold, silver, and bronze medals.

The more I grapple with the Scriptures and my own proud heart, the more I am convinced that Aug

Pappy and the Professor

Pappy and the Professor is a Gospel Magic and Clown Act.  Pappy is Ron Marabel (Living Water's chairman of the Deacons) and the Professor is Pastor Jim.  By clicking on the link (here) you can see an hour-long show of them performing in Corvallis Oregon.

June Blog

How could they be so dense?  Were they not listening?  

I get frustrated with my college students when they ignore several lectures,  illustrations on the classroom white board, written instructions in a course packet that gives step-by-step directions and warnings of what NOT to do, and then turn in a paper that defies all of this.  There isn’t a term that goes by that I don’t shake my head in complete bewilderment.  (This often gets mixed with some guilt that I am actuall

Pastor Jim (

Here is a sleight-of-hand routine, done just before Easter, of Pastor Jim ("the Professor," as he is known on stage) doing a Gospel routine. 

Gospel Routine - Please click  [ H E R E ]

Don't Stand on the Hose

Mark 6:5 has to be one of the saddest events that is recorded in Scripture.   It tells of Jesus’ return to His hometown of Nazareth.

Mark 6:5 (ESV)  5  And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Matthew 13:58 records the same thing as they show us that our expectations are the key to what we receive.  (Now)…If we could only remember this as we routinely come to church every Sunday.

What can we legitimately expect

Will it Melt or Harden?

Suffering and testing will either sweeten or sour you, soften or harden you. There is an old familiar illustration which says that the same sun will melt the wax but harden the clay. It is the character of, or the condition of, the element and not the sun that melts the wax and hardens the clay.  

Our church has certainly been tested for the past few years.  Part of my thanksgiving this week is the gratitude that I feel for being in ministry with a church that has been sof

Ministry Musings

A Poem by Edward Fudge

One day through the primeval wood,

a calf walked home as good calves should.

But made a trail all bent askew,

a crooked trail as all calves do.

Since then 300 years have fled,

and I infer the calf is dead.

But still he left behind his trail-

and thereby hangs my moral tale.

The trail was taken up next day,

by a lone dog that passed that way.

And then a wise bellwether sheep,

pursued the trail o’er vale and steep,

and drew the flock behind him, too,

as good bellwe

Feeling Nervous?

Dear Church Family,

Lately I have found myself drawn to great prophecy speakers like Dr. David Jeremiah, Jack Hibbs, Amir Tsfarti, and Jan Markkel.  Such speakers interpret what is happening in the world today – in light of Bible prophecy, and I get very excited.  We are so close to the Lord’s return.  

Some people feel dread or a sense of doom and don’t want to hear these proclamations.  They don’t want to be scared with thoughts that greater persecution might be looming on

Facing a challenge?

Psalm 27:8 (ESV)  8  You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” 

Psalm 27 is one of my “go-to Scriptures” whenever I face challenges.  I find a lot of instruction and encouragement in this psalm of David.  While the entire psalm has great benefit, verse 8 contains dynamic coaching for us whenever we feel tested by our circumstances.  But in order for us to be trained by it, we must understand the phrase, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”

Waiting...

"I want the whole works

presents and prizes and sweets and surprises,

of all shapes and sizes,

and now don’t care how

don’t care how

I want it now!!!"

I liked the book better than the movie.  (Maybe that is because the book was read to our class by Mrs. Sayers, my 2nd grade school teacher, on whom I had a mad crush.)  Later, in 1971, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was adapted into the movie - “Willy Wonka.”  

Perhaps it was 30 years after it was made that I

July's Musings

We went to seminary together.  We also shared the same hobby of performing sleight-of-hand magic.  For a few years after seminary, Daniel and I had lost touch with each other.  Both of us were focused on our first church ministry and busy with our young families.   Then, my second church belonged to the same association of churches as Daniel’s, so we saw each other at the Pastor’s and Wives Christmas Party and re-acquainted ourselves to each other.   My family and his even

SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN MARITAL CONFLICT

(Although it was a short-time ago, and I don’t remember how we got onto the topic, or which meeting at the church I was participating in) I was recently asked if I do pre-marital counseling before I officiate a wedding.  I answered “yes,” but then reflected this sorrow.  “Couples are usually so starry-eyed and thoughtlessly optimistic, that I have a difficult time getting them to face the reality that their marriage will be tough.”  When I try to prepare them with communic

June Blog

Singing has always been a part of my life.  My past includes singing in church, singing in high school madrigal choir, and singing in theater stage productions. 

As a young boy, I loved to sing. But I soon learned that singing with exuberance is bad.  Our Sunday School always began in general assembly.  Mrs. DeFrega played the piano and led all of us 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders in singing classic children’s songs like “Deep and Wide,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “I’ve Got a