“By the rivers of Babylon — there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our harps…. How could we sing the Lord’s song as slaves in foreign land?” Psalm 137 Today, I sat on my porch nearly in tears as I read the […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
Like all preachers, I want you to leave here saying, “I saw Jesus.” If I could hand out a little Easter Sampler Basket to give you that then I would. It might hold beautiful wrapped gold foiled delights: “A sense of the Holy, Awe before the Creator, knowledge that you are made in God’s image, […]
My dad worked as a factory foreman; Mom taught fourth grade. My deeply generous and very frugal parents took us on a trip every summer where we stayed with friends or family. We never went to an amusement park, but always to a museum: Chicago’s Field Museum, The Gateway Arch and the Kansas Agriculture Hall […]
When you pass through the waters…. When you swim through the river to the last station….. When the Lord, makes a way through the sea, cutting a path through the mighty waters….. Don’t remember that- don’t ponder ancient history. Look! Right now! I Am is doing a new thing; it sprouts up; don’t you recognize […]
Water is the first thing the waiter brings to our table. We are made of water. Our cells are filled with water. Without water we dehydrate and die. “O God, my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is […]
We all love to be heard. James counsels, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slower still to grow angry.” (1:19) Could our love be best measured by how well we listen? In addressing a Corinthian controversy, that is now largely a non-issue, Paul counsels, “Now concerning XY&Z, we all have ‘knowledge’. […]
On our way to the Grand Canyon, we camped one night at Bryce Canyon National Park. We took shorter hikes to scenic overlooks, saving our energy for our upcoming hike to the bottom the Grand Canyon. We had additional tents, but found it easier for all five us to sleep in a poorly named 5-person […]
Dear Belmonters Right now our hearts range from breaking to furious. We lament in uncertainty. No matter our emotional state or the unfolding information, Belmont UMC’s resolve is fixed. We must be who God has called us to be as reflected in our welcome statement. No matter Belmont’s path, we must bear witness to the […]
Lord, in this season of Lent. Your Spirit Leads us into the wilderness. Lord, perhaps nothing is more counter-cultural than Lent. 40 days. 40 days of ashes, fasting, sacrifice, repenting, realigning, testing, temptation, wilderness, word, worship… Foot washing, Not this cup, breaking the bread, anguished praying, self denying, cross bearing. Lent speaks the unfamiliar language […]
It was a sad walk… seven miles from the Holy City. It seemed like it was finished. The disciples scattered to the wind. When the reporter asked, “what happened?”, I stumbled for my words, stood still, and looked sad. Grief steals our best words. What happened? Well, Methodist delegates from 136 nations gathered with two […]
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