First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso

This is a phrase we may have heard or even used when things happen that we don’t like or that turned out to be something other than what we were expecting. Well, for sure, that can describe almost the entire year 2020. Who woulda ever thunk it would be what it has turned out to be? Therefore, it might be appropriate to say “thanks for nothing!” However, I believe we can make it mean something far more positive and not succumb to the negative. How about this approach… Thanks

As a child of the 1950’s, some of my earliest memories stem from interactions my family experienced within the healthcare system. My brother’s cerebral palsy led to multiple surgeries, sometimes resulting in weeks of rehabilitation at the Orthopedic Hospital in Lincoln. Along with my brother’s struggles, the plight of many of the other children being treated there deeply impacted my parents. Some of those children were there as a result of polio, a viral disease that many of

In the weeks and months leading up to the election season, a clear message was being expressed – that this was the most important election of our lifetimes. Yes, depending upon one’s age, it can be debated that the 1960 presidential election (John F. Kennedy) carried a significant element of change from both cultural and ideological standpoints never seen before. However, regardless of such a historical discussion, the current state of affairs in our nation suggests a serious

Two weeks ago, one of these commercials caught my attention. It started with an average white guy sitting in his living room. He starts explaining to a camera how he supports liberal politicians and social justice causes. All of the sudden, an African-American voice-over starts to challenge the white man’s resolve. The voice-over challenges the man to try a new drink: Five Hour Empathy. (Yes, it resembles the Five Hour Energy bottles.) Basically, the voice-over promises

October is a month that heavy-laden with significance. It’s hard to pick one aspect of this busy, beautiful month to write about. First, of course, there is the splendid display that God spreads out over the landscape in our part of the earth. The trees sport newly painted leaves in orange and yellow and red with the summer’s green still visible in the midst. The dignified colors of the fall asters and chrysanthemums succeed the delicate pastels of summer flowers. Side by si

Last month, I participated in the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection’s annual Leadership Institute. You may recall that several years ago some of our church leaders—myself included—attended the institute, returning with a wealth of practical ideas, many of which were put into place at our church. As hundreds of mainline churches struggle to remain open, Church of the Resurrection (COR) now has 25,000 members, worshiping online and in six communities around the Kansas