There’s a saying from an old pastor: “You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.” I don’t know his name. But I’m sure it came from years of experience. We pastors see a lot of things. We follow hearses to cemeteries and lead prayers. We spend time at hospital beds. We see tears and family … Continue reading You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse
death
A skull on the dresser
What do you have sitting on top of your dresser? A picture frame or a lamp? Margaret Baxter was a woman of deep faith from the 17th century. Do you want to know what she had on top of her dresser beside her bed? A skull. Yup, that’s right. A skull! As morbid as that … Continue reading A skull on the dresser
A few of our favourite things?
My friend and colleague Jeff Loach told a story about Ray Stedman, a pastor from the 20th century. It’s one of those stories that helps us gain some perspective about priorities. Stedman flew to a town for a speaking engagement but the airline lost his luggage. Those were the days when preachers didn’t speak without … Continue reading A few of our favourite things?
Butter tarts on a tombstone
Recently I visited my dad’s tombstone with my son Ben. The last dessert I had with my dad before he died was butter tarts. So we brought one for Ben, one for me, and one for my dad. As we sat there snacking (we placed the one for him on the top of his tombstone), … Continue reading Butter tarts on a tombstone
Your John 3:16 moment
I had planned on writing about something else today. But a congregant just passed away and I felt the need to share this question with you. Are you ready for your own death? Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t think about it until it’s too late. In previous eras, people thought about death a lot … Continue reading Your John 3:16 moment
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All of us are one heartbeat from meeting our Maker. So this is the #1 thing you need to figure out, especially in this world of distraction.
Say it before it’s too late
One of the profound privileges of being a pastor is being with people who are in their last stages of life on earth. I’ve only been a pastor for 9 years and I’ve held many people’s hands as they’ve passed from this world to the next. What does it teach me? Well, a lot of things. … Continue reading Say it before it’s too late
Inflated with purpose
Hebrews 13:1 “Let mutual love continue." (NRSV) Today’s Thought These days I’m thinking a lot about purpose. I just think that knowing your purpose has the potential to inflate your days with meaning, energy, zest and faith. And if you don’t ever think about how your daily purpose connects up to God’s bigger plans, I … Continue reading Inflated with purpose
The more seriously you take your death…
Genesis 3:19 "...for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (ESV) Today's Thought There are certain things we just don’t like to think about. Things like taxes. Things like flooded basements. Things like that embarrassing picture of you in grade 11 going up on Facebook! And things like… Death. But do you know … Continue reading The more seriously you take your death…
What if you were water in the desert?
Yesterday my dad would have turned 67. He died in 2014 from several aggressive cancers. After his diagnosis they gave him two years to live… maybe. Then a year. Then six months. He almost lasted two. Have you experienced the death of someone you care about? I’m sure you have. If so, you know it … Continue reading What if you were water in the desert?
