I recently “retired” as the pastor of the most loving and wonderful church family. Woodland Church has been our family’s church home for 27 years and will continue to be our church family. This has been a joyful—and emotionally difficult—decision. One of my friends encouraged me to ignore the sadness I am experiencing and not…Read more A Brief Reflection on Retirement, Love, and Letting Go
Family
Tears of Joy and Grief
The joyful pictures of the last twenty Israeli hostages reunited with their families bring tears to my eyes. Imagine being violently kidnapped during a barbaric killing spree that targeted women and children. For more than two years, you live in darkness—unsure if you will ever see the light of day again, wondering if you will…Read more Tears of Joy and Grief
Walking Through Recovery One Step at a Time: A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
Cabin fever has definitely set in. Recovery can be a slow, unpredictable process — and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t eager to get through this phase quickly. There’s so much I want to do. My mind races ahead, but my body is still catching up. So I pray for a speedy recovery…Read more Walking Through Recovery One Step at a Time: A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
Turning 70, Trusting God, and Treasuring the Journey: Week 4 A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
My 70th birthday was filled with family, joy, and the deep presence of God. But in the quiet moments before and after the celebration, I wrestled honestly with fear, faith, and the road ahead. One week before surgery, I want to share what’s in my heart—and the peace I’ve found in God's presence. This past…Read more Turning 70, Trusting God, and Treasuring the Journey: Week 4 A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
Week 2 The Faith of a Community: A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and prayerful support in response to my post last week about my cancer diagnosis. Thank you for the scriptures, songs, prayers, and humor you have shared. I am reading and saving each one in a special file for this journey. It took some time to reply…Read more Week 2 The Faith of a Community: A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
Overcoming Challenges: A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
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 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
Future World
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1, NKJV) Psalm 23 was the second passage of Scripture that I memorized as a child of six. The first was Psalm 100. Memorizing those two passages early in life shaped my life. I've never doubted that God was my shepherd. I have always enjoyed thinking and…Read more Future World
Happy Sabbath #2
It is a pleasant surprise for a pastor when a Sunday morning message strikes a chord with so many. The message Sunday about Sabbath Rest has sparked conversations every day this week. A common summary of the comments reveals that most of us have not seen Sabbath as the grace gift that it is. There…Read more Happy Sabbath #2
Coram Deo 