Revitalize Your Church

"  "Let us not then trouble and embroil ourselves and our neighbors with unprofitable disputations, but all agree to spread, to the uttermost of our power, the quiet and peaceable gospel of Christ."

Reflecting on the old Thanksgiving hymn, For The Beauty of the Earth, I am truly grateful. . .  1) For the Beauty of the Earth   Those of us who live in the northwoods, have a front row seat to enjoy the grandeur of creation.  What a  beautiful place -- with splendid seasons -- each one proclaiming God's praise.  2) For the Wonder of Each Hour   Time is fleeting, but I’m thankful for the moments – the special moments we pause to treasure, sitting in  the Thanksgiving Chair. 3) For Thy Church  In worship (holy hands above) and service (pure sacrifice of love).  I am so thankful for our church, and the outstanding leaders who serve with me. 4) For the Joy of Human Love    Brother, sister, parent, child.   I am thankful for my beautiful family, and am looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with them. We will miss Adam, Luke and Emily dearly – but are thankful for Skype! 5) For Thyself – Best Gift Divine....

Be thankful for the pile of dishes in the sink, because it means you had plenty to eat. Be thankful for the dog hair on the carpet, because it means you have a loyal friend who shows unconditional love.  Be thankful for the messes, because it means some living is happening in your home.  Be thankful for the difficult conversations you have with your spouse, because they mean  you have a partner who cares.  Be thankful for the annoyances at work, because they mean you have a job.  Be thankful for paperwork, because it means you have been trusted with responsibility.  Be thankful for the light bulb that needs replacing, because it means you have electricity.  Be thankful for the leaves that need raking, because it means you have beautiful trees.  Be thankful for clutter in the living room, because it means you have a family.  Be thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, because it means you have yard. ...

Through 25 years of living in the north country, I’ve come to recognize that, by default, deer hunting season is Wisconsin’s other “holy week.” It took me a while to figure this out. Year after year, I stood behind the pulpit on the third Sunday of November, and looked with dismay upon an empty sanctuary.  In Hayward, most of the men, and half the ladies vanish into the woods on deer opener, and they normally don’t re-appear for church on Sunday morning. Of course, there are always a few devoted members of the flock who endure the annual Thanksgiving sermon, anxiously awaiting the concluding “amen” so then can hurry up and get out there. I’m happy to report that my Thanksgiving sermon usually has the intended effect. When it’s over, there’s a collective “Whew, Thank God!” then a mad scramble for the doors. I regretfully admit that in my foolish, early years past, I attempted to heap guilt and shame on the poor hunters of the congregation in the weeks leading up to “the g...

This beautiful hymn,   Moment By Moment , was the great devotional author Andrew Murray's favorite hymn. I understand why.  Moment by moment I’m kept in His love;  Moment by moment I’ve life from above;  Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;  Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.  Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;  Living with Jesus, a new life divine;  Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,  Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.  Never a trial that He is not there,  Never a burden that He doth not bear,  Never a sorrow that He doth not share,  Moment by moment, I’m under His care.  Never a heartache, and never a groan,  Never a teardrop and never a moan;  Never a danger but there on the throne,  Moment by moment He thinks of His own.  Never a weakness that He doth not feel,  Never a sickness that He cannot heal;  Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,  Jesu...

"We need a generation of preachers who seek God and seek Him early, who give the freshness and dew of effort to God, and secure in return the freshness and fullness of His power that He may be as the dew to them, full of gladness and strength, through all the heat and labor of the day."  --  E. M. Bounds (Preacher and Prayer)

A few years ago, I took my daughter, Hannah, to Perkins Restaurant for a daddy-daughter date. As we finished the last of our french fries, I waved down the waitress and asked for the bill. She smiled and said, "I have good news! Somebody else in the room paid it for you this evening." "Who?" I wondered. "Well, he said if you insisted on knowing, blame it on the old ugly man sitting across the dining room." "Sitting where?" I asked. She furtively nodded in the general direction. I glanced around the restaurant, and right away, I spotted Don, one of my parishioners, having dinner with his wife. I strode across the dining room, and greeted Don cheerfully: "Thanks a million, you ugly old man, you!" The startled expressions on their faces immediately informed me that I had made a big mistake! I'd picked the wrong ugly old man to thank! "I beg your pardon?" "Er. . . but. . . the waitress said. . ." I tried ...

For all those who served our country. . . Thank You!  Freedom always comes at a price.  I think your heart will be touched by this video:

A special Veteran's Day tribute by John Miller of Brule, Wisconsin:  East of the evergreens lies a grassy knoll, which has been there from days of old.  The only route to the grassy knoll is by a narrow, winding gravel road.  A cloud of dust can be seen afar, created by a long procession of cars.  Their travel resembles a snail's pace, passengers are with heavy hearts and somber face.  As the procession arrives and comes to rest, many have come to pay their respects.  Honoring a Veteran, America's best.  Proceeding to the top of the grassy knoll, white crosses are visible in numerous rows.  Near each cross there is placed a small American flag,  Signifying those brave souls who were courageous and true,  Who fought and died for the Red, White and Blue.  Suffering, sacrifice and lives that were lost, the price of freedom at a terrible cost.  The preacher made certain that everyone heard, this Veteran confessed t...

"If you seek your happiness in God alone, you will never be disappointed, if in anything else, you surely will, for all creatures are broken cisterns."  -- John Wesley