Blog
True inspirational stories to warm your heart and kindle the spirit
From The Pastor's Desk - September 2016
Ever since my wife, Jackie, went to work full time for the Air Force our schedules have been mostly mismatched. For thirty years we had Mondays off together. We could catch morning coffee together many days and often dinner. We could sometimes even take Sunday evening through Tuesday morning. Now we work opposite shifts. When she comes home, I have to work, and when I can get free, she is working. We have to be very intentional if we want to spend time together (and we do want to spend time together).
From The Pastor's Desk - Summer 2016
With summer comes more opportunities to be outside and admiring the beauty of the created world. When we see a flaming sunset, the lush greenery of grass and trees, the glassy water of a calm lake, or mountains cloaked in morning mist, we are filled with awe once again at God’s handiwork, power, and love.
From The Pastor's Desk - July 2016
I have to mow the lawn, pay some bills, write a sermon and a newsletter article. There are phone calls to make and visits people expect me to do. Then there are plans for vacation and summer to make, figuring out how we will connect with family and friends this summer and how to get my crazy schedule under control. Somewhere I will need to get something to eat for my family and another pair of pants needs replacing.
Happy Father's Day
To all you dads out there: While you're relaxing in your recliner and watching sports on June 21, and your kids are on their best behavior to honor Father's Day, don't forget to thank a United Methodist.
From The Pastor's Desk - June 2016
They are one of my wife’s favorite flowers. I try to cut some and put them on the table to brighten her day. But lilacs bushes have also been a pain in the neck over the years. They distort and confuse my property line at the lake and sometimes obstruct our view. They can become weak and I have spent hours in the spring trimming them from winter damage. When we pull out of our driveway, they make it hard to see if traffic is coming. And after all, they only blossom for a short time in the spring and then they look like big cow bushes!
Happy Mother's Day!
I have always loved music. When I was young, my parents encouraged me. As an adult, my husband and our boys have indulged and supported me. When our son, Greg, set up our home router, he named it HouseOBellz without even asking me!
Our King Reigns!
When I was driving home that night, I was still thinking about the movie. Suddenly I was overwhelmed by a deep longing for the King. Oh, to see Jesus! He is the one to whom belongs the ruler’s staff and the obedience of the nations. He appears throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation. In the final book of the Bible, John writes, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has triumphed!”
Why Am I A United Methodist?
Someone asked me why I sometimes call our church The Pendleton Center Church instead of The Pendleton Center United Methodist Church. They wondered if I had a problem with the United Methodist Church. Sometimes I shorten it up because it’s a mouthful to say our full name. (Many people who write a check to church just write PCUMC for the same reason.)