Author Archives: reallifepastor

One of the things that started child psychologist Robert Coles on his professional journey was meeting six-year-old Ruby Bridges.  In the early 60s, Ruby was chosen to integrate an elementary school in New Orleans.  For most of that year, she … Continue reading →

            Has anyone else found these last few sermons annoying?  I sure have.  So, People are doing everything they’re supposed to do–attending worship, making sacrifices, fasting…They’re following the religious rules faithfully, when some prophetscome along and tell themthat going through … Continue reading →

                Wouldn’t it be nice if we got a controversial Scripture lesson every now and then?  J  We do get a good one today…  “If you insult* a brother or sister,* you will be liable to the council.”  (FYI: Our … Continue reading →

Here’s the Cotton Patch version of today’s Gospel lesson:             You all are the earth’s salt.  But now if you just sit there and don’t salt, how will the world ever get salted?  You’ll be so worthless that [you’ll] be … Continue reading →

          When she considered what prevented her from seeing Christ in people who were homeless, Phyllis realized it was personal experience…or lack of it.  Living comfortably with her college professor husband and healthy teenage son in the suburbs, she was … Continue reading →

Today, as a refrain for the pastoral prayer, the congregation sang together the refrain to “It Is Well with My Soul.”  Horatio Spafford wrote the hymn in 1873 not long after his four daughters died in a shipwreck.  Philip Bliss … Continue reading →

Shortly after 9/11, a few of us attended a Cobb County Zoning Board meeting.  We were there to get a variance so we could build our sign out by the road.  It was the first meeting after the terrorist attacks; … Continue reading →

Folks are starting to get curious about my sabbatical…which begins four months, 13 days from now (but who’s counting?)!  As I’m able, I’ll fill you in on what I’ll be doing during sabbatical.  To learn what the CHURCH (Pilgrimage United … Continue reading →

On the second Sunday of January each year, we hear a different Gospel writer’s take on Jesus’ baptism.  This year, it’s Matthew’s turn. Unique to Matthew’s version is this little dance that goes on between Jesus and John the Baptist.  … Continue reading →