Category Archives: Uncategorized

July 22, 2022 · 8:30 am

A Tribute to Mom K.

When it comes to mother-in-laws I won the lottery. That’s not just sentimental hyperbole, I believe it to be true. I write this as the Kline family prepares itself to pay tribute to and honor their matriarch, Joan J. Kline, who passed from this life on July 16, 2022. After a life well-lived (95 years and 9 months) she finished her race.

I first met Mrs. K in the Fall of 1982. The campus ministry of which her daughter Lori and I were participants held a retreat at Tippecanoe Baptist Camp. We stayed in the recently constructed lodge and were hosted by the Kline’s, in their role as resident camp managers. Mrs. K cooked for us and saw to any hospitality needs we might have had.

A few months later I found myself as a guest in her home, as members of that same campus ministry group had shared a deputation service at the Miami Baptist Church. Lunch, with all the fixins was provided by Mom K, with Mr. K. assisting. It was obvious then that large groups of people did not phase her, in fact she thrived in those moments.

Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Christian Faith, Family, Ministry, Uncategorized

July 1, 2022 · 9:17 am

When Freedom Rings

Across horizons of time and land,
responding to justice’s demand,
comes a clarion call for liberty – when freedom rings.

Unfettered chains, repurposed hearts,
it comes at times in fits and starts,
as if a fragile breaking forth – when freedom rings.

Rehearsed in cadences of speech,
brass, woodwind and percussion reach,
to proclaim an overture of peace – when freedom rings.

People going to the polls,
making votes and opinions known,
accepting outcomes, peacefully – when freedom rings.

Quiet classrooms – or chaotic ones,
minus the threat of unwanted guns,
teachers trusted with our young – when freedom rings.

Gold and blue flags wave in summer breeze,
sunflowers unfold toward sunlit ease,
symbols of hope amid war’s disease – when freedom rings.

Opposites consider peace,
first steps hard made by each,
negotiated, bargained and agreed – when freedom rings.

Sight beyond barriers,
determined to become carriers,
of better ways, days and outcomes – when freedom rings.

Redemption won at Calvary,
welcomed by the Highest King,
who the Son sets free is free indeed – when freedom rings.

Rest for all – earth, sky and sea,
God’s creation on tiptoe will be,
as the bells begin to toll – when freedom rings.


2 Comments

Filed under Christian Faith, Holy Days, Hope, Uncategorized

Tagged as ,

April 23, 2022 · 9:04 am

Boomerang

His AKC registered name was “Hogan’s High Dollar Boomerang” but we knew him as “Boomer”. His sire was an award winning Welsh Pembroke Corgi, so he came from good stock. Sadly, he succumbed to lymphoma at the age of 9.

When we adopted Boomer at the tender age of 8 weeks we were not looking for a show dog, just a family dog from a breed we had enjoyed before. He was our second Corgi, little short-legged dogs with big dog attitudes, best known as the preferred dog of the Queen of England. High energy, herding instincts, loyalty, curiosity (some would say “nosey”) are all characteristics of this breed. Boomer had them all.

He spent countless hours looking out the front window of our home, watching over the neighborhood, alerting us if something was slightly different. He had his nemesis’ – the squirrels that ran the fence tops of the back lawn, chucking at him with derision as he stood sentry, barking from below; and (for some reason) a certain greyhound who’s owner walked him past daily (never figured out what he took offense to there – maybe it was the long legs?). He faithfully chased rabbits away, nearly catching one or two young ones in the past, but uncertain what to do with them when he had them cornered.

Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Family, Leadership, Uncategorized

April 11, 2022 · 9:35 am

An Easter Foot Race

Each of the Gospels has its own unique emphasis as it shares the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection. In John chapter 20 we are told how Peter and John ran to the tomb after Mary reported it was empty. Verse four says, “The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.” Why was this detail of having arrived first, important to John? Did it give him bragging rights? “I beat Peter to the tomb!” I have often puzzled over this aside within the Easter story. On Easter there was a race and John outran Peter. It seems like the kind of detail one commits to memory around a life changing event. It’s the event that is important, but it’s importance is mirrored in the details that are remembered around it. For John, outrunning Peter was one of those details.

But they were not the first to run that morning. Backing up to verse two we see that Mary Magdalene was the first to run. She ran from the tomb to tell Peter and John what had been discovered: the tomb was empty. They ran to the tomb to verify her claim and see for themselves. Lot’s of running.

Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Christian Faith, Holy Days, Hope, Ministry, Pastors, Spiritual Formation, Uncategorized

Tagged as , ,

March 8, 2022 · 3:32 pm

Not This Time

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes, commonly thought to be Solomon, writes in Ecclesiastes 3 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven“. He then proceeds to list the various things for which there is a time, including in verse 8: “a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” I must confess to having struggled with that next to last one over the years, and most especially again recently.

I do not understand the reasons Russia, and her autocratic leader Mr. Putin, would feel entitled to wage war against their peaceful neighbor Ukraine. I do not understand the aggression, the violence, the carnage, the hostility and death. It makes no sense to me. It is heart breaking to hear the voices and see the pictures of Ukrainians being forced from their homeland as refugees, and being forced to defend their nation as soldiers.

Many years ago when different war drums were being beaten on the world’s stage I remember discussing with a mentor in ministry how one who follows Christ should feel about this. His response, which has always stayed with me, was “I believe God is always sad when there is war.”

More than any other emotion it has been “sadness” that I’ve felt in response to the news reports, pictures and stories emerging from the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Lives have been forever upended and altered because of this needless war.

I invite you to add your prayers for peace to those of the multitudes the world over who are engaged in intercession for the people of Ukraine, along with the people of Russia most of whom did not want this war either.

In his appeal to the member bodies of the Baptist World Alliance, General Secretary Elijah Brown said this: “As brothers and sisters within a global Baptist family, we are all called to be both peacemakers and people of prayer,” says Brown. “As one Baptist family rooted in Jesus Christ as Lord, we bear witness to the biblical truth that ‘if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.’ It is vital for Baptists around the world to stand with those who are suffering and to fervently pray for peace.“

Lord, Have Mercy!

Leave a comment

Filed under Christian Faith, Ministry, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , ,