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“You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge one yourself.” (James A. Froude) Joseph was passionate about life.We encounter Joseph as a young, somewhat cocky, 17 year-old kid who has great dreams. And he loves to tell others about his dreams. He’s passionate about life. But that passion gets Joseph in … Read more
I’m writing this final reflection on Friday (and the week) on Saturday afternoon. Yesterday was a very long day; we arrived home last night around 11:00 pm, slightly more than 9 hours after leaving Asbury. Class concluded shortly after noon yesterday, after which Joleen and I went to Subway for lunch with Dr. West to … Read more
Today was the last full day of class. We talked more practically and more specifically about mentoring, which has been a real emphasis of the entire class, actually. I have had a candidacy mentor since 2000 for which I am grateful. And over the next course of the next few months, Joleen and I hope … Read more
Today was another good day of class. Each day, a different student leads devotion at the beginning of the day, and at the end of the day, another student offers a reflection on the day and a closing prayer. Today, I was the "reflector." I asked the question, "What are you taking with you today … Read more
We’ve now completed two days. Normally, classes are from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm with 1.5 hours for lunch with a 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon. This class has followed a different schedule — 8:30 am until 5:00 pm with only 1 hour for lunch and shorter than 15 minute breaks in the … Read more
After worship services on Sunday, a quick lunch, and some final packing, Joleen and I headed for Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY around 1:15 pm. We made good time (good weather and traffic was not bad at all); we arrived in Wilmore about 10:15 pm. Needless to say, it was a very long day! … Read more
We begin a new series today called "The Character Tour," which focuses on character in the lives of a few biblical characters. Next week we’ll take a look at Joseph and then Daniel. Today, we’re going to talk about Samson. Character “Charisma without character leads to catastrophe.” (Peter Kuzmic) “The price of greatness is responsibility.” … Read more
Mark 1.29-39 Today is a day of new beginnings for all of us. It’s my first Sunday at the 12th Street UMC in Huntingdon, PA. And it’s also the first Sunday for the newly merged Hope UMC (formerly Alexandria and Barree UMCs). This is also the beginning of a new charge – the Huntingdon 12th … Read more
I’m thinking a lot about transition these days. Today is my last Sunday at Petersburg, and it’s also the last Sunday for Alexandria and Barree as seaprate congregations. Next week, these two congregations will become one new church, "Hope UMC." There’s a lot of transition in the Scriptures, too. Today, we’re going to look at … Read more
[Note: Joleen and I traded places today. Joleen preached at Petersburg and Alexandria/Barree and I preached at Wesley Chapel, Ennisville, and Faith. We each repeated our sermons from Pentecost Sunday two weeks ago to give our churches another perspective on the importance of Pentecost. You can read Joleen’s Pentecost Sunday sermon here: Can We Talk? … Read more