The above picture and caption/title were recently posted by our daughter Amanda on Facebook. This is a very different blog for me. It’s about Amanda’s cancer, and a call I made to her husband Jake. I wrote it hoping the journal ChristianityToday/Pastors will print it for Jake, so I wrote it with that in mind. …
Category: Confessions of an Idiot Pastor
God says to you…
I had some folks ask me for a reading I did at the end of the service yesterday. It all comes from Psalms 23. I adapted it from the conclusion of Traveling Light by Max Lucado. I hope it encourages you this week. In Psalms 23 God says to you, If you will stop playing …
Lambchops
Back in my youth pastor days, we would put on a church-wide Passover service every Spring. One year, to better promote the service, I went to a local sheep farmer to see if I could borrow a lamb. My plan was to keep it in our backyard and bring him to church on Sundays. We …
God and Luck
JoLynn and I enjoy the monthly hot date at Costco. Usually, we pull in on a weekend and the place is packed. Still, I’ll find a nice spot close to the handicapped parking. She says, with jealous disdain, “You’re so lucky.” I reply, “Yeah, well, I had my devotions.” Is God like that? Does he …
Lost in Chicago
I got off the “L” in Chicago (short for elevated railway), and said to myself, “self,” I said, “I don’t know where I am, but it looks like the worst slums in America, and I’m pulling a suitcase. This could be a bad day.” It almost was. It had been one of those weekends. The …
Needing a Miracle
If you could buy God one gift, what would it be? I’d get Him a watch. I want to get God on my time. I want Him to see things like I see them. Am I the only one who has wanted to shout, “God, can’t you see what is happening here? Help out already!” …
Humor, The Babylon Bee, and Snopes
Why I love humor, the Babylon Bee, and Snopes In our crazy world of extreme echo-chamber paranoia, the Babylon Bee is my online source of satire sanity. Check out these article titles (better if you go to their site to see the pictures). Nation Torn Between Watching Democratic Debates, Sticking Face In Blender. Promising New …
Stud Studebaker for Christmas
Before 3/4 ton pickups with Cummings diesel engines, there were Studebakers. They had no AC, broke down more often, came with no cup holders, and had limited ground clearance - but a man with a Studebaker was a man who could go anywhere and do most anything. At least he thought he could. It may …
Never Use an Ax Unless You Are Relaxed
That great advice comes from Bruce Kugler, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, The Wright Institute. Confession of an idiot pastor #135: I should have listened to his advice before speaking last Sunday. So, last week I’m telling l the church we will be going to two services on October 7. Churches max out at about 70% of …
Playing Pastor: Canada vs the USA
Culture Matters. I grew up and went to college in the Southwest USA, got married in Dallas, and later moved to Winnipeg Canada with four kids and stayed for seven winters. Things were different there. Winnipeg is a tad cooler than Tucson. Actually, Tucson may have hellish heat, but January in Winnipeg makes a Tucson …
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