FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: He was there, if only for a time

  Welcome to the “Front-Porch.” With Father’s Day upon us, I cannot help but go back to some special times this Father’s Day 2026, although I suppose it’s no different from all the years since 1967. I am thinking of a gentleman who, when I was just a little boy, was almost always there.

OUT TO PASTOR: Life is not a soap opera

  When I was young, we did not have a TV in our home. My parents did not think it was important, so we listened to the radio instead. I love the Saturday morning radio shows, “Popeye the Sailor Man,” particularly. Then something big happened that changed our lives.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: ‘I’ll stick with Solomon’

  Welcome to the “Front-Porch.” With Father’s Day on the horizon, I was thinking recently about my father-in-law Bill Dickinson.

SPEAKING TRUTH: God’s Law and speeding tickets

  “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” –  James 2:10 I was in college and running late, so I hopped into my bright red sporty-looking car and started buzzing down the road.

OUT TO PASTOR: Monday’s here but Sunday’s a-coming

  For many years, even before I became a pastor, Sunday was always a very special day. I lived in a rural community in Pennsylvania where they had what they called “Blue Laws.” No business was open on a Sunday, but churches were full.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: Psalm 119 – more than words on a page

  Welcome to the “Front-Porch.” Coming again to Psalm 119, there is splendor and wonder in this piece of spiritual literature that comprises 176 verses.

OUT TO PASTOR: Just pinch a nickel until the buffalo screams

  Every so often, something happens reminding me of my father, who passed away over 16 years ago. Thinking back, he was the epitome of frugality. If I were to look up in the dictionary the meaning of frugality, I would not be surprised to find my father’s name.

SPEAKING TRUTH: Is there life after death?

  As a little boy I stood with my parents at a graveside service when a small plastic shovel was presented to me. I was asked if I wanted to scoop some dirt and toss it on the casket. I turned my head downward, then nervously backed into my mother and declined.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: Open Letter – My “Hachie” H.S. Seniors

  This past Friday night, I watched as 150 of my students walked across that stage, robed proudly in green and with smiles stretching halfway across the football field.

OUT TO PASTOR: What if I don’t want to act my age?

  Throughout my life, I have often heard people telling other people what they should be or do. I do not know where they get the right to say that about other people. I first encountered this attitude with my mother. She would often say to me, “Son, you need to start acting your age.