Author: Web Admin

The Porcupine’s Dilemma

The North American common porcupine is a member of the rodent family and has around 30,000 quills attached to its body. Each quill can be driven into a would-be enemy. The wounds can fester; the more dangerous ones, affecting vital organs, can be fatal. As a general rule, porcupines have two methods for handling relationships:… Continue reading The Porcupine’s Dilemma

How is Jesus like a starfish?

Picture a starfish by the ocean. How many arms does it have? One, two, three, four, five. Five arms. Obvious, right? Anyone who has visited an aquarium and seen one knows this. But guess what? We’re wrong. “The answer,” writes Dino Grandoni in The Washington Post, “is stranger than anything most scientists expected. Simply put,… Continue reading How is Jesus like a starfish?

I have a confession to make.

I have a bittersweet, love-hate relationship with election years. I am excited, depressed, happy, and disgusted all at the same time! I cherish the right to vote and that others have that right as well. But, I hate the tension within families, friends, and churches. What I like: What I don’t like: As we move… Continue reading I have a confession to make.

The stewardship of pain

After Frederick Buechner had shared an upsetting, heart-rending scene from his childhood, a person told him “You have had a fair amount of pain in your life, like everybody else. You have been a good steward of it.” “That phrase caught me absolutely off guard,” Buechner testified. And yet it also crystallized something for him. The… Continue reading The stewardship of pain

What’s In Project 2025: An In-Depth presentation on its contents and threats to democracy in the U.S.

WHAT’S IN PROJECT 2025 will be an in-depth look at the contents of Project 2025. This class is offered at The Church of the Palms on Saturday, September 28 from 10-12 pm. Registration is required (space limited; see below) and the class is open to the public. ‘Project 2025’ is the Heritage Foundation’s document that follows… Continue reading What’s In Project 2025: An In-Depth presentation on its contents and threats to democracy in the U.S.

Curious about The Palms? Come learn more!

Information Session: September 25 at 5 pm in King Hall The Evangelism and Growth Team is offering an Information Session to provide an opportunity to meet the Pastors, Paul and Jim, plus a few other active church members. This will give you a valuable opportunity to learn about us, gain information about the United Church… Continue reading Curious about The Palms? Come learn more!

How many arms?

Picture a starfish by the ocean. How many arms does it have? One, two, three, four, five. Five arms. Obvious, right? Anyone who has visited an aquarium and seen one knows this. But guess what ? We’re wrong. “The answer,” writes Dino Grandoni in The Washington Post, “is stranger than anything most scientists expected. Simply… Continue reading How many arms?

34 years of “togetherness” is about to end

Thirty-four years ago, my son, Michael was born – It was 1990 and I was just finishing up seminary. Soon came the call to parish ministry with another boy, Nathan, born two years later. Six years later Ruthie entered our lives and changed our household in ways I could barely imagine. We’ve had someone living… Continue reading 34 years of “togetherness” is about to end

Looking for blessings, rather than curses

Summers are hard in the Sonoran Desert. About this time of year, I am worn out and truly tired of the heat! So, prompted by the Spirit, I was reminded of a simple, yet powerful mindfulness activity: find three things a day that you are grateful for and write them down. I committed to making… Continue reading Looking for blessings, rather than curses