Harry Emerson Fosdick once told the story of a woman who was left a widow fairly young in life. Having to earn a living, she put an ad in the paper saying that for $2.50 an hour she would listen to anybody talk about anything. Her idea was such a success that within two years… Continue reading Learning the art of listening is much harder than…
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
“Don’t worry, Dad. God’s not dead, God is alive.”
When my kids were little, we used to do those long car trips across the country each summer. My parents made me suffer through them and it was my right and duty to make my children suffer likewise! One trip found us in Yellowstone. It was the 1990s and my boys were eight and six years… Continue reading “Don’t worry, Dad. God’s not dead, God is alive.”
Elaine Klauser is retiring
During all of my tenure here at The Palms, we’ve been gifted with a talented accompanist. It is with mixed emotions that we announce that Elaine Klauser is retiring. She has served the church almost seven years and worked with Pastor Jim 20 years. It’s bittersweet because we are so happy for her and her… Continue reading Elaine Klauser is retiring
Trust walk
A “trust walk” is staple at church camp. It is another way of trying to get kids to see without their eyes. Permit me to explain: One kid gets blindfolded and is led through the wilderness guided only by a partner’s voice. With phrases like, “Take two baby steps to the left” and “Take four… Continue reading Trust walk
Thanks for choosing The Palms!
Grat-i-tude (grat’ – a – tud) n. thankfulness [L. gratus, pleasing, thankful]. Thank you for choosing The Church of the Palms. Your presence, participation, and sharing of your time, talent and treasure makes this place so special. In a world where there are a lot of choices, thanks for choosing The Palms! There are so… Continue reading Thanks for choosing The Palms!
A “Can’t Miss Sunday”
The joy was palpable! We were in the sanctuary, without masks, and we could sing! Wow! And the joy spilled out in standing and applauding for a hymn. Wow! We had another new member join! Wow! Last Sunday was a holy time for me. God is doing some great things at The Palms and each Sunday… Continue reading A “Can’t Miss Sunday”
The Rules Change This Sunday
We’re back this week! The CDC has lifted much of the protocols for in-person worship — we can return to what we know and love. I’m excited, nervous, and a little scared. Just when we figured out how to operate under the terms of a pandemic, the rules changed, and we’re needing to adjust our… Continue reading The Rules Change This Sunday
5th anniversary as Senior Pastor
This past week marked my 5th anniversary as Senior Pastor at The Palms. Thank you for all of the patience you have shown me – thank you for the grace you have demonstrated. Thank you for the love and support you have shown my family. As I have reflected over this anniversary… I am amazed… Continue reading 5th anniversary as Senior Pastor
Hymn for Summer 2021
One of my favorite hymns is “I Am the Light of the World!” which is based on a Howard Thurman piece entitled, “When the Song of the Angels is Stilled.” Here is my Summer 2021 version. When the protocols have been stopped,When the masks are taken down,When family and friends can gather again,The work of… Continue reading Hymn for Summer 2021
Going hybrid
I drive a hybrid vehicle. I have driven one since 2007. Hybrid vehicles combine at least one electric motor with a gasoline engine to move the car, and its system recaptures energy via regenerative braking. Sometimes the electric motor does all the work, sometimes it’s the gas engine, and sometimes they work together. The result… Continue reading Going hybrid