e-Soundings

Poverty has Declined!... Wages are Up!... Crime is Down!... Inflation has Deflated!...

This may sound like a dream for the poor and the afflicted.  It may be scoffed at by those who work day by day with the broken hearted and discouraged.  But it’s true! Read more →

Look for the Lonely this Christmas …will they be welcomed?

It’s easy to miss the lonely and the isolated, even in a crowd.  Are you and your congregation prepared to make friends with the lonely? Or are you distracted by all the busy-ness of the season? Read more →

ADVENT: Already, Not Yet and Always

For a long time, my questions has been: "Why do we wait for something that is already here?"  Is it an example of Christmas-time "parental control” to make us behave?  Is it just Tradition? Read more →

Heaven on Earth - An official United Methodist view

"The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are but two phrases for the same thing. They mean, not barely a future happy state, in heaven, but a state to be enjoyed on earth...." John Wesley Read more →

The Overlooked Meta-story of Handel’s Messiah

The Christmas staple  of the Messiah is spectacular! The "Halleluiah Chorus" alone is often the sentimental "showstopper" in many Christmas concerts. But aside from its beauty and reference to the Christ-child, it's real intention and message is to link Christmas to Easter, (which is the reason for Christmas after all!). Read more →

How many new year Resolutions have you made and kept?

New Year’s is a time to set goals, even when we have a history of failing to reach those goals. We often lack the commitment, the means, or the time to make those goals a reality. We often get distracted... Read more →

Unspoken Prayers... the most powerful prayers of all.

"A “contemplative prayer” moves away from memorized lines and various grammatical forms to a deep and peaceful absence of all the thoughts that are usually whirling and careening around my head. Contemplative prayer encourages deep quiet. Contemplative prayer encourages me to set aside all my thoughts and speculations and simply listen." Read more →

“Hello, I’m_______” ...Are you ready for new worshippers? (An "Extravagant Hospitality" Primer)

The Covid protocols for distancing, masking, and sanitizing are relaxing quickly. Barring any resurgence of the pandemic, live, in-person worship is quickly being re-instituted. As we slowly get back together, we’re finding people are hungry to gather again in worship... Read more →

Why doesn’t the “Easter High” last? ...................Maybe we can change that?

“Every morning is Easter Morning” (by Avery & Marsh) is a song that proclaims the gospel like no other. It's sings out the reality that Easter is now every day. Death is no more. This is the Good News that... Read more →

“It’s Good Christmas Grief 2021, Charlie Brown”

Are you addressing the widespread grief we are all carrying in your messages this season? Are you being open and honest about your own grief? Back when 9/11 happened, one response was full churches. Grief, along with anger, confusion and... Read more →