Last Sunday morning after the message, Becky and I shared with our Woodland Church Family, that I have been diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, my doctor caught it early. This week, I met with the surgeons at University of Michigan Hospital. The scans of my abdomen and lungs do not show any signs of the…Read more Overcoming Challenges: A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
Monday Meditations 2025-06-23
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!” (Psalm 111:10, NLT) Wisdom has been a goal for me anchored in the Biblical truth that wisdom's foundation is the fear of the Lord. Wisdom is looking ahead, the long game not the short game.…Read more Monday Meditations 2025-06-23
Monday Meditation 2026-06-16
"I have never met anyone anywhere like Francis Schaeffer, who took God so passionately seriously, people so passionately seriously, and truth so passionately seriously." Os Guiness That quote has touched me so deeply. It resonates within me like a the sounding of a bell. I so want that to be true of my life and…Read more Monday Meditation 2026-06-16
Monday Memories
My grandmother Mary Clanton was an amazing woman. She came to mind a few minutes ago and I was helping diaper our newest grandson, Asher. I remembered her by the well on her knees in the South Georgia sun, washing clothes with a scrub board. She would have had to drawn enough water from the…Read more Monday Memories
The Moments I Remember
Last week, these words flowed unplanned but sincerely out of my heart. "My time is more precious to me than money." However, the best times in life are those moments that haven't been planned in detail or called for a purpose. Those are happy moments that I reflect on often. Praying together with a friend…Read more The Moments I Remember
Finished Well!
The picture above is of one my good friends, Randy Stokes, and the best networker I have known. Wednesday evening, before our midweek service at Woodland Church, I called Randy. We talked about his sister's upcoming funeral on Friday of this week, his health, his family, his job, and future. Before we finished our call,…Read more Finished Well!
FOLLOWING JESUS INTO A STORM
Following Jesus sometimes means sailing right into the middle of a fierce storm. Fierce storms come in our lives. Jonah ran from God and was caught in a fierce storm. The disciples follow Christ and they too are caught in the middle of a fierce storm. Don't be surprised by the storms but be sure…Read more FOLLOWING JESUS INTO A STORM
Reading the Bible this Year
The rewards of reading the Bible in community is growing in our knowledge of God together. Throughout the year, we will discover promises, prophecies, peace, and direction together. Individually we will grow, but we will also grow as brothers, sisters, and friends. Remember that God calls us together into a kingdom. Let me invite you…Read more Reading the Bible this Year
The Wonder of Surrender
“One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime.” Jim Elliot, https://elisabethelliot.org/tribute-to-elisabeth/ Each time I preach, I offer to pray with people who want to surrender their lives to Christ. A part of my prayer always includes, “as much as I know how, I…Read more The Wonder of Surrender
Celebrating Faith: Baptism and Holiday Cheer
Christianity is a joyful faith! Jesus speaks of the gift of fullness of joy! This Sunday was an especially joyful day of celebrating God's love through music, worship, prayer, generosity, Communion, the sermon on joy, and the baptism of eight people. Our church family was blessed as each of those baptized briefly shared a bit…Read more Celebrating Faith: Baptism and Holiday Cheer
Coram Deo 