OUT TO PASTOR: Another vacation in the bank

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I arrived home from our vacation late Tuesday afternoon. I’m not one for vacations, but this one was special. Our grandson who lives in Ohio was graduating from high school and then this summer he would be heading off to London for some soccer group.

FRONT PORCH GOSPEL: Carry the ‘Can’ spirit with you

Welcome, friends, to the “front porch.” Often as we look at a new year looming just ahead, I’ll be compelled to remind you and me of an old story that has long captured my admiration.

Four marks of a true man

Esquire Magazine published the article, “How to be a Man.” The author wrote a series of proverbs on manliness. One stated, “A man knows how to lose an afternoon. Drinking, playing Grand Theft Auto, driving aimlessly, shooting pool.” Please, do not follow their advice!

OUT TO PASTOR: What is a day off, really?

I’m not one who gets excited about holidays. If up to me there would be one holiday per month, and that’s it. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage loves holidays, no matter what it is. For her it is a time to have a “Day Off.” If anybody knows how to celebrate a day off it is her.

FRONT PORCH GOSPEL: Ode to Charlie, the world’s greatest kisser

Good day to all. Welcome to the “front porch.” A month or so ago I sat down to write a column that started this way: “Charlie has grown old, and we know that his time with us is growing short.

OUT TO PASTOR: Eating out of my comfort zone

One pleasure the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and myself enjoy is going out for a quiet dinner together. It does not happen often, at least not often enough. When it does, it is always a delightful time and we try to take advantage of it.

FRONT PORCH GOSPEL: Thin-ice faith

Good day to all. Welcome to the “front porch.” On my trips, I always pack a little book called “The Case For Faith” by Lee Stroebel. I have long been intrigued by the idea of “faith” and how fragile it sometimes can be. You understand, I’m sure.

OUT TO PASTOR: Understanding the Grandpa rules

As circumstance would have it, and I like to give circumstances due credit, I was visiting my grandchildren without the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. With the opportunity before me to go solo with the grandchildren, I determined to make the best of it.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: It’s all right to be a Mama’s Baby!

Welcome, friends, to the “front porch.” I know Mother’s Day is past; but, really, every day is Mother’s Day, if you think about it.

HOPE FOR TODAY: Why God? Why?

I was recently visiting with some high school seniors and asked them what their classmates thought about God. “They’re sometimes confused,” they said. I asked them to explain. “They see bad things happen in the world and wonder why. If God is God, then why didn’t He prevent it?”