FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) – part 11

“It was a day much like today,” Mama said, looking down the hill toward the Whatley house. I could tell at that moment – maybe by a slight weakness in her voice – that the surgery from just a few weeks ago had taken a toll on her.

OUT TO PASTOR: We weren’t expecting that

Sometimes things happen that you never expected. When those unexpected things happen, if they are good, that is a blessing. If they are bad, that’s a different story.I learned this expectation of good from my good old Uncle Ted. He was a truck driver, and boy, did he have the stories to tell.

The Miracles of Jesus (part 9)

Then behold they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you.” – Matthew 9:2God the Son has the power to forgive sins and to heal all sickness, disease and infirmity.

PROCLAIMING TRUTH: Does God love you? Yes and no

“All people are loved through God’s benevolence, but only some are loved through His covenant.”As I start this column, I am thinking about the hit television show from years ago, “Touched by an Angel”.

OUT TO PASTOR: I’m too smart to be stupid

After being married for over 50 years, my wife, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, knows more about me than I know about myself.At least, that’s the perception I get from her actions.It must be true when she says something about me, and I won’t challenge her with anything she says. I have a Ph.

The miracles of Jesus (part 8)

Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea so that the boat was covered with the waves. But Jesus was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us we are perishing!

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) – part 10

Those houses would be the foothills, then the terrain leveled off all the way from Elm Street until you would come to the LaGrange football stadium a few blocks away due north, and beyond the stadium was the Callaway Library where we spent many a reading day and probably one of the reasons we’re...

OUT TO PASTOR: If only I had it my way

Every once in a while, I have a little thought giggling in my brain to the effect that if only I had it my way.I don’t have it often, but I try to take it seriously when I do.My personal history is that it turns out to be a disaster whenever I have everything my way.

The miracles of Jesus (part 7)

Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So, He touched her hand and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) – part 9

The world seems to roll together like the parts of an engine, each piece responding to the other as if it could read the others’ minds. It’s an amazing thing.Merle Haggard’s “If we make it through December” came out in October of 1972, the cold, cold month of Mama’s surgery.