Why do we go to the gym? I swim to be changed or at least maintain my current level of fitness. If I miss a few days in the pool, I know I am letting the daily grind damage my health. Church is a lot like the gym. Jesus’ church offers transformation, community and a […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
What kind of book is the Bible? I think the Bible is a personal book telling a story of our God’s interaction with sinful folks like you and me. Jesus references God’s personal relationship with us by quoting the Hebrew Scriptures, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of […]
“Run in such a way that you may win the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25). Perhaps the Apostle Paul was a runner or maybe all his missionary travels gave Paul an appreciation of race walking. Eckhard J Schnabel estimates that the Apostle Paul traveled some 8,700 miles over land and some 6,800 miles over sea in […]
“Christmas Traveling” Where are you heading this Christmas? When you consider that ancient travel involved walking or straining to stay atop a donkey or camel, you realize the First Christmas involved a lot of travel. So tonight, I wonder about our travels. Where are we headed this Christmas? What do you seek? Luke’s Gospel begins […]
After cousin Eddie parks his RV in front of the Griswold home, a squirrel attacks grandma, cousin Eddie’s Rottweiler destroys the dining room, Aunt Edna’s cat bites into a string of lights, the Christmas tree burns up along with Uncle Lewis’ toupee, the Christmas bonus turns out to be a Jelly of The Month Club, and […]
Christmas comes through worship. Luke’s Gospel opens with a priest worshipping in the Temple making the incense offering while the whole assembly prays. Mary will sing “my soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior” On that first Christmas Eve, worship comes not in the Temple but out in the fields, with […]
What do you want for Christmas? What are you hoping for this Christmas? We ask each other “what do you want for Christmas?” That cute Post Office commercial has stuck an earworm in my head. “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas. Only a hippopotamus will do. Don’t want a doll. No dinky tinker toy. I […]
In the front yard of my grandparent’s house, there is a well. If you open the lid, cool air rushes up in the summer. The well may date to the first cabin built there well over 175 years ago. A geologist classified the farm soil as Eden Soil. Eden Soil contains huge slabs of limestone […]
No matter who wins this election, some of us will wake up anxious tomorrow. What we do with our anxiety or anger determines what sort of people we are. Will we hear the Good Shepherd calling us away from the unsteady herd ready to thunder over the next cliff? Will Jesus corral our racing hearts […]
First, we are deeply grateful to our Tullahoma FUMC family for helping Granny Due navigate church life. As our brothers and sisters in Christ, you gently guided Granny around our church home. You extended steady arms, offered countless re-introductions, and sat by her side. Your loving-kindness lifted our worries. To the staff, especially Theresa for […]
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