Boxes to the left of me, boxes to the right of me, boxes behind and in front of me! Boxes! Boxes! Boxes! That sounds like the beginning of a Dr. Seuss book! While much of my life is like one of his made-up stories, this one is quite real. In case you haven’t heard, the fabulous… Continue reading In case you haven’t heard, the fabulous Whitlocks are moving
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
Do we own our possessions, or do they own us?
The fabulous Whitlocks are moving! We are downsizing. The large home that once housed Uncle Paul, my parents, Ruthie, and Wendy and I is no longer needed. Of course, my mind is flooded with memories. Going through all of my stuff causes me to ask myself the question that I asked in a sermon a… Continue reading Do we own our possessions, or do they own us?
All Saints Sunday, November 7
For all the saints, who from their labors rest… None of us arrived where we are without the help of others. It might have been parents, siblings, grandparents, or other relatives who guided us on our journey. More than likely on your list of mentors you have teachers, pastors, and or Sunday school leaders. What about… Continue reading All Saints Sunday, November 7
What are the Seven Wonders of the World to YOU?
Many years ago, geography students, having traveled around the earth by book, were asked at the end of the semester to list what each considered the “Seven Wonders of the World.” The following garnered the most votes: Egypt’s Great Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, St. Peter’s Basilica,… Continue reading What are the Seven Wonders of the World to YOU?
Get out your hard hat!
There is a good reason that construction workers wear hard hats: to protect their health. It may give them hat-hair, be bothersome, uncomfortable, and or a burden, but it is necessary. We aren’t quite going to be requiring a hard hat along with our mask mandate, but we’re going to be a construction zone as… Continue reading Get out your hard hat!
Old dogs learning new tricks
New vocabulary – it can be demanding, exacting, and difficult! When I was a kid, I knew I wanted to be a pastor, so I paid special attention to scripture. I was good at memorizing passages. In college, I continued that trend as a religion major. Then there was an internship and then seminary. Halfway through… Continue reading Old dogs learning new tricks
World Communion Sunday: October 3, 2021
Each year, Christians around the world mark the first Sunday in October by coming together for communion. This year, World Communion Sunday falls on October 3. And, as described in Luke 13:29, “The people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat at the table of God.” What are your… Continue reading World Communion Sunday: October 3, 2021
Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for being the church, the palms of Jesus right here, right now. In your words and deeds, you are making a radical difference in the lives of people. British author, G.K. Chesterton, as his days were coming to an end, decided to write his autobiography. What made it so unique was that in… Continue reading Thank you.
Making lists, crossing things off
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
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