Martin Luther King, Jr. – Captured by the Spirit of Christ

Two months before his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke to his congregation at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta about his death in what would oddly enough become his eulogy.
“Every now and then I think about my own death, and I think about my own funeral,” Dr. King told his congregation. “If any of [...]

A Pastor’s Kid…

Nancy sent this to me. Her son, Fritz, is a pastor in the Lutheran Missouri Synod. In celebrating his 25th anniversary of his ordination, Andy, one of his six sons, wrote the following:
The Wonderful Things That Go Along With Being the Son
of a Pastor
By Andy Eckardt for Dad’s 25th ordination anniversary
party (September [...]

Pastor Appreciation Month Gift Contest

Since it is October and the month for “pastor appreciation” (how fortunate for you it isn’t only one day!) the cards and gifts are coming my way. This year I will announce the winner for the best “pastor appreciation gift” given.
So far this year I received some incredible gifts and here are the ones so [...]

From RAY

We have justed a new sermon on the Keep Believing website: Men As Trees Walking. Here’s an excerpt:
“We don’t get all better at the same rate or in the same way.This is a good word for all of us who are praying for our loved ones who are away from the Lord. How often have [...]

Shooting the Rapids

One of the great support ministries of the Covenant Church is to their pastors.  The denomination cares deeply about people like me.  So they have been doing a program entitled, “Sustaining Pastoral Excellence.”  Recently I read an article entitled, “Shooting the Rapids: Cycles of Pastoral Ministry.”  That was my story exactly.  I have negotiated all [...]

Availablity not Ability…

Thoughts on being average but available:
– No one can help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
– Prayer: O God, grant that the heat in my heart might melt the lead in my feet.
– Mend your nets with prayer, cast them in faith, and draw them in love.
– Jesus went about doing good; many just go [...]

Desperation leads to…

…Transformation.
This is a great post with good links from John Wenrich from The Covenant’s leadership.  These people are so in touch with what God is doing!

Duane

Duane is my friend.  He is a retired pastor from the UCC/Presbyterian church.  Duane called me today after reading the infamous “letter to the editor.”  Encouragement and spiritual strength come from his words.  “Dorothy’s letter was from the pit of hell,” he said, “so don’t even comment on it in the paper.”
I met Duane in [...]

Love Conquers All

Lord Jesus Christ, Who did command us to love our enemies, and those who defame and injure us, and to pray for them and forgive them; Who Thyself did pray for Thine enemies, who crucified thee: grant us, we pray, the spirit of Christian reconciliation and meekness, that we may heartily forgive every [...]

Hugs

We stood up to pray together.  We were in the ICU waiting room after he died.  Just before the prayer many stories were told with laughter and some tears were wiped away.  Good words, memories, experiences and good feeling were let go like butterflies into the grace filled air.
I prayed and then hugs all around.  [...]