My Mission: To make a difference in this world in light of the next. People often give me a rather curious look when they hear my story about changing careers from being a research chemist to spend my life teaching and preaching about God’s love and grace. After all, where does faith fit in […]
“While money can’t buy happiness, it certainly lets you choose your own form of misery.” ― Groucho Marx “If I could just win the lottery, then all my problems would be over!” Have you ever heard someone make a wish like that? I know I have. Money is usually elevated to a god-like status […]
W. C. Fields once said, “I never want to belong to any organization that would have someone like me for a member!” W. C. Fields is known for his bar room humor and his disarming charm as an irrepressible drunk. His humor was based on his ability to say out loud what most people were […]
The comedienne Lily Tomlin once said, “The trouble with the rat-race is that even if you win the race, you’re still a rat.” Having spent a number of years in the maze, I always felted called to something more than just life in the maze, running here and there, exhausted and confused living each day […]
Crowds are clueless. They never get it right. They cheer for the superstars, and look past the saints. They glorify the rich and even cast votes for a new American Idol. Crowds are addicted to all the hype, bling and buzz they can consume, but then complain of loneliness, fatigue and overload. They look for […]
In 1994, two Christian missionaries answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach about 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run orphanage. It was nearing Christmas and so they decided to tell them the story of Christmas. It would be the first […]
“So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6) Some people believe, while others have faith. There are all kinds of new slogans encouraging us to “keep the […]
I wait. Year after year, generation after generation I’ve been here, waiting, watching and hoping. I’ve watched so many climb these steps as the bell rang through the streets. I’ve watched generations pass by on their way to and from school and wondered if they knew why I was here. I’ve watch as horses gave […]
A business executive became depressed. The economy was in a tailspin and things were not going well at work. His worry and stress were taking their toll and he was bringing his problems home with him every night. Every evening he would eat his dinner in silence, shutting out his wife and five-year-old daughter who […]
Have you ever picked up a good mystery novel only to read the end of the book before you had ventured very far into it? When you do finally get around to reading all those middle chapters, you already know something the characters don’t and so with a sort of divine perspective you […]
“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” ~Celia Thaxter Summer is a time of reflection and renewal. There is more sunshine, more family time and more time to live on purpose. During the summer our thoughts turn toward what’s really important to us not just what is urgent. We take more time to […]
All people long for God. Period. Some may say the exact opposite, but our desires, actions and values suggest something completely different. We all long to connect with something greater than ourselves, we long for the heart of God. There is simply no better way to connect with God than to learn who God is […]
Over-Achievers: The dictionary defines an overachiever as someone who achieves success over and above the standard or expected level. The lives of overachievers are marked by an uncanny ability to achieve success despite times of uncertainty or when facing what seem to be insurmountable odds. They seem to have little or no fear of failure and […]
Every year about this time our church becomes a buzz of activity. People from all over converge like salmon to do their part in a ritual that goes back to before I was born. Walls that were once bare, cold and empty are virtually blossom with color, action and above all life. Of course I’m […]
As our soul grows in the love of God and journeys ever close into His Presence, our heart’s capacities also grow and expand to see the world as it could be: “Thou shalt enlarge my heart” (Ps. 119:32 KJV). Each year following Annual Conference I like to take time to sit in the Sanctuary […]
“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26 Every time I read this statement by Jesus I have to stop and wonder whether he’s talking directly to me. There are times I feel I’ve lost the sound […]
Pastor’s letter for December 2009. Entire newsletter can be found at www.fumcwilliamstown.org What is your fondest memory of Christmas? Do you remember the excitement of childhood dreams that were so intense you couldn’t sleep the night before? Do you remember a Christmas Eve service with your family when the sanctuary is bathed in soft candlelight, […]