By: Rev. Jerry Chiles One Friday evening my wife and I were going to hear the symphony and she asked if I needed to use GPS. I said no, I knew the way. As I proceeded to go to the venue, we encountered a street closure. If I had used the GPS, it would have […]
The Wise Still Ask For Directions Read More »
By: Rev. Jerry Chiles The excitement surrounding the solar eclipse reminds me of another celestial event from long ago. The Magi discovered a star, and using the information they had, they set out to find a new king. Where would be the logical place to look for the Jewish child king? The obvious answer is
Even the Magi Asked for Directions Read More »
by: Rev. Jerry Chiles If we open our eyes, we can identify walls in our own church that need to be torn down. The question is how do we begin to have an impact on these walls? Here are some simple suggestions. If you are having trouble identifying them, invite a ‘church visitor’ to visit
Identifying Walls In Your Church Read More »
by: Rev. Jerry Chiles Recently I noticed a small book entitled The Wall: A Parable by Gloria Jay Evans. Why it caught my eye I wasn’t sure, but I was drawn to it. I have edited the text for the following version. I don’t know when I first began to build the wall. I suppose
Building Walls or Tearing Them Down? Read More »
by: Rev. Jerry Chiles What is an event or long-term situation in your life when you wondered if you would survive? You struggled against it and could see no end in sight. You may have wondered where God was. You may have even questioned your call to ministry. In John 6:10ff we find the story
by Rev. Jerry Chiles But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
The Covid-19 Crisis has forced many changes, but have these changes produced transformation? Where has God been at work in the midst of the Crisis? Change happens around us all the time. The dictionary definitions are: “Change (noun) the act or instance of making or becoming different. (verb) make someone or something different; alter or
Has It Changed Me or Transformed Me? Read More »
By Jerry Chiles Eddie Hammett says, “A re-fashioning, and re-framing of church is happening whether we like it or not. God is moving. Will you be a part of it or a resistant force against the ‘new thing’ God is doing in our world?” David Brooks, columnist for the New York Times, says in an
What I’m Reading These Days Read More »
by Jerry Chiles Don’t panic. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “A panic attack causes sudden, brief feelings of fear and strong physical reactions in response to ordinary, nonthreatening situations.” When we panic, we do not see any possibility of moving forward. We must begin to breathe and recognize God is present with us in the
Practical Steps Past the Pandemic Read More »
Each of us is a unique creation of God. Each of us has been called by God in a unique way. God knows each of us by name and he knows how we best respond to him. He speaks to each of us so we can comprehend. As each of us plead for help, God
How have you heard God answering your call for help? Read More »
