My Mother, Joann Sims Purdue, was born in a house without running water. A lifelong educator mom earned her master’s degree in education. Today, I celebrate the lessons her life taught me. Trust Jesus Love people Faith matters The Church is full of sinners like you- go anyway Worship with your heart wide open Serve […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
As some of you may have heard a teacher from Tullahoma High School was arrested last night. Here are eight thoughts to help you talk with your teen. Create space for your teen to talk by being a good listener. Good listeners do not force conversation. Do not interrogate. Do ask clarifying questions: What did […]
Even after hearing Jesus’ Great Commission “go into every nation making disciples” (Matthew 28); after seeing Jesus gloriously ascend to heaven and hearing his command “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of […]
A few years before my grandmother was born Thomas Edison ran the first direct current to 85 homes in New York City powering a total of 400 light bulbs. She was a teenager when Ford first mass produced the Model T. She graduated the 9th grade, making her well-educated for a child of her era […]
Hope hangs dying The crowd lying Disciples denying His mother crying Love defying Faith forgotten God’s mercy mocked Our way lost Truth taunted Sacred scorned Redeemer Rejected Bleeding Broken Dying God! Crucified? What unleashes such hate? Preaching Feeding Touching untouchables Welcoming Forgiving Loving Through parched lips Praying Proclaiming “Father, forgive them” Father, forgive them, they […]
When they had come near Jerusalem reaching the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey, untie it and bring it to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And they will […]
Dear Friends During worship today our SPRC chair shared news that I will be appointed as the Pastor of Belmont United Methodist in Nashville beginning in July. Through a few tears I tried to make the following points. Foremost, I am deeply grateful for the privilege of pastoring Tullahoma FUMC for the past six years. […]
Jesus comes to disrupt business as usual. Jesus interrupts our lives so that we might truly live. In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus appears as innovative preacher, out in the early morning preaching to commercial fisherman as they come in from a long hard night working the Sea of Galilee. Remember after Easter how Jesus built a […]
Lent begins with Jesus alone in the wilderness being tested by the Tempter. Temptations rarely beckon us to do something vile, terrible or evil. It’s unlikely any of you woke up laying plans to commit adultery, desecrate the sanctuary, or become consumed by anger. Temptations usually just pull us a little off track. I read […]
In seasons filled with division and loud voices, do we listen for the still small voice of God whispering peace into our souls? Do we let the Word of God trouble us, shake us up, challenge our notions and change our thinking? Today, I come preaching about seven qualities that God loves in any nation. […]
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