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.

OUT TO PASTOR: What’s a Whopper got to do with anything

After my heart attack, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage enacted a dietary regimen in accordance with improving my health.The theme of this dietary regimen is vegetables, vegetables, vegetables.Her primary vegetable, much to my disdain, is broccoli.

The miracles of Jesus (part 6)

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.

PROCLAIMING TRUTH: Living in an age of deception

“We live in a world where trickery and deceit are found in the home, at the workplace, in the church, in government. Everywhere people are deceiving and being deceived.”Are there occasions when we believe deceitful practices are ethical because we feel the ends justify it?

OUT TO PASTOR: I feel sorry for my good-looking friends

The one place in our humble residence I would prefer to avoid, especially in the morning, is my bathroom. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has her bathroom, and I have mine.I make visiting my bathroom in the morning as quick as possible.

The miracles of Jesus (part 5)

And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord if You are willing, You can make me clean.” – Matthew 8:2The lingering question from many of the saints today is, “Does God heal?”Well, does He?

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: THIS LIFE STORY BEGINS IN 1973 (KIND OF) – PART 8

By the time I encountered my Grizzley on that bricklaying job the first day, we had been seeing the world turn upside down little by little with the rapid decline of Mama’s health.