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!
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
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”
“Abby Normal”
I’ve seen the future and it’s going to be “Abby Normal.” That line comes from the comedy movie, “Young Frankenstein.” In that movie, Igor (pronounced Eye-Gore), is instructed to get a brain from the laboratory that comes from a famous intellect. Instead, having dropped the correct brain, he grabs the next one available which is… Continue reading “Abby Normal”
Learning the art of listening is much harder than…
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…
“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”