This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "family"
Weekend Report
We had a wonderful weekend in Tulsa. We arrived Friday night and had a nice visit with our friends who moved from Enid a few months ago. Saturday held the Winter Guard Competition at Union High School. They have quite an impressive campus–more on par with a small private College than a public high school. Amazing. The Winter Guard competition was fun. Enid HS had probably their best performance ever, and was awarded with First Place in their division–by several points too! All the teams performed we saw performed well and were very entertaining. Saturday evening ended with the awards presentation and burgers at our friend’s house. Sunday I woke early and attended worship at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in Tulsa. Another amazing facility! Pastor Tiews conducted the liturgy with grace and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
A Generation Gone
I find it sad when I meet the children of faithful members and I ask them where they live and they say, “Oh, I live here in Enid.” Then I find out they are going to a church of another denomination. As a parent I know that we only have so much influence on our children. But I look at my congregation and see an entire generation missing from our pews. Seriously. There are exceptions, to be sure. But I wonder what happened then, and what happens now, and what I can do as a parent and pastor to prevent that in the future. Any ideas? … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
When is it Time to Quit?
My wife had yet another set back in her goal to get her degree finished. I won’t get into the hairy details, but she has had so many blows and denials and refusals and Resistance, it’s not even funny anymore. She really is beating her head against the wall. She wonders why God is not opening doors…or windows…or anything. She is wondering why every turn seems blocked. It really feels like a sign to her. I … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
From Your Side
Last Sunday I attended church by sitting in a pew instead of standing up there where I usually worship. It was a joy to sit and stand next to my family: my aunt behind me, my sisters and parents down the pew and in front. If I cannot be with my church family here, then being with my relatives is the best. It was good to help my son remember to stand and pray, to … Read entire article »
Great Essay on Parenting
Parents? Read this article RIGHT NOW! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
The Absent-Minded Pastor
My youngest wandered into our bedroom this morning as I was ignoring the alarm and asked me to pray that he “not be sick anymore.” I mumbled yes and he went downstairs to see his sisters as they were getting ready for school. I didn’t realize he was sick. I mean, he had a cold a week or so ago, but didn’t seem to be snorting around anymore. I could be allergies. Mine have been crazy, Marjorie–who doesn’t have allergies–has been sneezing and wandering around with red, itchy eyes, and the cedar and juniper pollen levels are in fine form. Could be that. Or it could be I need to investigate a little after school. The irony of all this is that for the past three days I have been trying to be … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Parenthood and Passions
I am still thinking about the article from Fr. Tobias that I read (and posted to FB a little while ago).Controlling the passions is not something Lutherans talk much about, but it is definetaly a Scriptural way of talk ingy about our sinful natures. But most importantly his post addressed the importance of modeling our behavior to our children. They respond the way we seem the respond. I’ve seen the same thing with myself…not as a kid, but now as I relate to my own kids and hear myself sounding just like my dad. Sometimes this is good, and sometimes I wince as I hear myself adopting the same tone he did. We’ve all been through that, anyway, if you’re old enough. What is harder to see is how your current behavior … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
The Spirit of Christmas from a Four-year-old
On my day off yesterday I had to go to Walmart. Jack got all excited about spending some of his allowance money on some Star Wars men. I explained to him that this time of year he should spend his money on presents, not on himself. I suggested buying something for Mommy, and finally he decided that yes, he would buy a present. But he wanted to buy a present for Mikayla…maybe a Star Wars mens that he didn’t already have? And maybe he would play with it? Getting frustrated, I mumbled, “Buying presents for someone that you want to play with is not the Christmas spirit.” A few minutes later Jack calls up from the backseat, “Dad, if I buy Mikki a Star Wars mens and then she shares with me. Dad, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Saturday Night Oops
Sometimes on Saturday night about this time your pastor will take a look at his sermon and think, “This is really not very good.” It happened to me about fifteen minutes ago, and I am stewing a bit. I really wanted this one to be good, and I’m afraid I tried too hard. Tried to be subtle instead of saying what a I want to say. But it’s late, and I have family in town, staying at our home, and Sunday morning is is already beating its way around the Earth. So I will look at the sermon a few more times and try not to gag, and go tomorrow and preach it. Just preach it. The difference ten years makes is I will not re-write it, at least much. I will not let … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology, Writing&Books
Changes to the Blog
Just a brief post to let you know that I’ve decided to add some personal pictures to the blog. The last post was updated, in case you actually happened to read it already. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Books!
Networked Blogs
Recent Comments
- Carl Vehse on The Horror! The Horror!
"Dixie, you are right. Scientific study that backs up the claim that alcohol and…" - Dixie on The Horror! The Horror!
"...The potential for spread of infection during this religious ritual does ex…" - Carl Vehse on The Horror! The Horror!
""I teach them that faith believes we will receive only good from the cup of t…" - Steven Anderson on Angry Faces
"You will never see a smiling runner. Ever. World without end. Why? Because runni…" - Christopher Hall on Angry Faces
"The hinged knee braces or the knee supports/brace without a hinge?…"