First United Methodist Church

     I am so glad that baseball is finally back. Baseball lore has always fascinated me.

 
    I love one particular story that goes back to the opening day of baseball in 1954. On that day, the Cincinnati Reds were playing the Milwaukee Braves. Two rookies pl...

    I really liked Johnny Carson back in the day. He was the best. No one else has even come close, in my opinion. I even saw Johnny and “The Tonight Show” in person on a trip to Los Angeles and Burbank. Carl Reiner was a guest on the show that night....

     As a pastor, the most difficult part of this COVID-19 pandemic that we are going through has been the limitations it has put on pastoral care. I am not allowed to do some things for my church members that I was previously able to do.

    For example, a f...

     George Whitefield was a famous evangelist in the 1700's who worked with John and Charles Wesley, the founders of the Methodist Church. He was very well known in colonial America. 

    His preaching was instrumental as part of the “Great Awakening” i...

     An old friend from high school dropped in to see me the other day. I hadn’t seen him in years. He had changed a little bit, but not all that much. 

    I thought about the changes that have taken place in my life since I received that diploma from t...

     The other day I brought my dog, Max, to the veterinarian’s office for his annual shots and check-up. Max was so excited for the car ride, not yet knowing his destination. 

    When we got out of the vehicle to go inside the office, th...

      I recently read Mitch Albom’s book, “Have A Little Faith.” Albom is a wonderful author. He wrote “Tuesdays With Morrie,” “The Five People You Will Meet In Heaven,” “For One More Day,” “The First Phone Call from Heaven.” 

    In his book, he...

     I love a story that Readers Digest told several years ago about a man named Herbert Wirth. He passed away, but nobody really noticed. The local minister prepared for a brief funeral service. The funeral home said that he had no family.

    He had been a...

     Somebody wrote a letter to the Wall Street Journal that was published last week: “As a front-line medical professional, I would often pray under my mask and face shield. During a code blue, as I was praying, I didn’t realize that I was praying loud enough for othe...

     Many churches either have been or will be open before long for in-person services of worship. I have heard some people comment, “Oh, I’m afraid that with all the guidelines it just won’t be the same.” Well, that is true. It won’t be the same for a while. Reduced o...