I love making lists, especially to-do lists. Making lists keeps me on track and moving in the right direction. I had a seminary professor that told us to put even the most mundane things on a to-do list. Why? The psychological high it gives when crossing off those items on the list! I also love… Continue reading Making lists, crossing things off
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
An exploding turkey and a homework assignment
Sue Bender, in her book, Everyday Sacred, describes what happened when she and her husband went to a lawyer to make a will and living trust. “What would you like to do in case there’s an exploding turkey?” the lawyer asked. “Exploding turkey?” she asked. “What if the whole family was together for Thanksgiving and… Continue reading An exploding turkey and a homework assignment
Catching up on things
Can you believe it is September? Where did August go? And for that matter, where have July, June, May, April, and 2020, 2015, 2000, 1980 gone? If you feel as if the world is spinning faster than your ability to process it all, take heart, you are not alone. Many of us are in that… Continue reading Catching up on things
What’s more exciting: congregational meetings or watching paint dry?
It’s an exciting time to be the church! Watching paint dry. Congregational meetings. Some sermons…okay…many sermons! Boring, boring, boring! That can often be the case – but not this time! For quite some time, our former moderator, Judy Jondahl, has led a group of dedicated church folks on redoing and updating our church’s constitution and bylaws (CaB).… Continue reading What’s more exciting: congregational meetings or watching paint dry?
Keep Moving
As my college class was graduating, it was a hot and sunny day. It was a proud moment as I walked across the platform and received my diploma in front of family and friends; there was a flood of emotions filling my heart, mind, and soul. As I was handed a diploma, I shook the… Continue reading Keep Moving
How do you find balance in your life?
My life needs balance: brains, heart, and courage. Like a three-legged stool when I lean into all three of them, they become pillars of strength to carry my physical, emotional, and spiritual weight through the tough moments of life. If I don’t utilize one of the three or if I depend upon one or two more than… Continue reading How do you find balance in your life?
What happens when we die?
What happens when we die? Do we face a great tribunal? Is God a trial judge over our life’s journey? Here’s a confession: I believe God is more merciful than we can imagine – despite the realities of how we treat one another. I believe God will welcome us with open arms. Now, having said… Continue reading What happens when we die?
Three steps forward and two steps back!
Three steps forward and two steps back! That’s a phrase I have used throughout my life when describing situations that don’t seem to be going in the direction in which I want. It is as if we literally have taken three steps and then have to go backwards. Going backwards seems so hard after these… Continue reading Three steps forward and two steps back!
True Strength
As the Tokyo Olympics winds down, much attention has been given to Simone Biles. Going into these games, she had a combined total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, is the most decorated American gymnast, and is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time—all at the tender age of 24. While all… Continue reading True Strength
One word for those who prayed for rain: “Moderation”
♫♪ “The rain, rain, rain came down, down, downIn rushing, rising riv’lets‘Til the river crept out of its bedAnd crept right into Piglet’s” (church – The Palms!) ♪♫ Wow! What a Sunday July 25th turned out to be! Instead of flames as of doves descending upon the parishioners, it was drops, fat and wet, plopping… Continue reading One word for those who prayed for rain: “Moderation”