By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist There is a story about Jesus and his friends that is often not appreciated, particularly by those of us whose lives are full to overflowing with activities and responsibilities. Mary and Martha are friends of Jesus who often host Jesus and his disciples in their homes. On this day, Jesus is in Martha’s home and, as is … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – It’s all about the perspective
By Pastor Bridget Sheely Racine/Wykoff/Sumner Center UMC The word perspective has made its way into my mind space quit often lately. I have seen Facebook posts pop up out of nowhere pronouncing that maybe it’s time to clear my vision, news reports that cause me to get distracted from what is truly important, and now in my churches book study of “Revelation,” by Margaret … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – If we say we have no sin
By Pastor Michael Harman St. Johns Lutheran Church and School There is great Christian comfort in First John 1:8-9. “If we say we have no sin, then we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “If we say we have no SIN.” What is sin? Is it something … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – A type of Christ
Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Jonah is in many ways the prophet we love to despise. He’s not one of the great prophets like Elijah or Isaiah, whom we admire because of their miraculous deeds or because of their well-known writings. But neither is he one of the prophets like Zephaniah or Haggai about whom we know nothing except maybe that they, … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Too much judging
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches While waiting at the airport terminal for her plane to begin boarding, a woman sat reading a newspaper. Earlier, she had purchased a package of cookies in the airport snack shop to eat after she got on the plane. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the man sitting next to her was eating a cookie. … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Giving all
By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches Every day when I retrieve the mail from our mailbox there are at least a couple of requests for charitable donations. Organizations around the country need (NEED!) my money. They need me to help protect the children, the trees, the birds, the animals. Other organizations want me to support their … [Read more...]
Worrying productively
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parishes - Faith United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley I recently tried out some jokes on my family and on the congregation at Cherry Grove Cowboy Church. Despite their reaction (mostly groaning), I thought I’d share a few with you readers. Here are some jokes about farming: Why do cows like … [Read more...]
Is He sufficient?
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free Who has had this happen…after spending an hour or more at the grocery store getting a million and one things you need and a few things you don’t piled into a cart all the while navigating one two or more kids who are helpfully adding unknown things into your cart, screaming about wanting to go and having a desperate need … [Read more...]
Remember the sabbath
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger In May, my colleague, Pr. Nissa Peterson, reflected on sabbath in this space, and I offer additional thoughts on that theme. Last fall I attended a conference on sabbath keeping in ancient Israel. The presenter’s theme was that sabbath is not merely “taking a break,” but deeply … [Read more...]
Pastor devotion – Guard your speech
By Pastor Stuart Weist First Baptist Church of Preston Have you ever heard someone tell you to “watch your mouth”? Well, I have because unfortunately, in my youth, my tongue would often get me in trouble. Those little backhanded comments to parents, speaking ill of bosses or coworkers, or simply venting my anger though vile language, I have been guilty of it all and once … [Read more...]