Looking for an earlier Watchword?
- Friday, October 16 - Whatever is Untrue: I wrote the following on Friday, February 28, 2014, almost seven years ago. Some might read into this something political, but they would be wrong. When I posted this in 2014, I got some feedback, including one that claimed I had “misquoted Paul”, to which I replied that I wasn’t quoting Paul, I was speaking to disciples of Christ. In today’s hurting world, it seems appropriate to, once again, speak to disciples of Christ. Continue reading
- Thursday, October 15 - Jesus and the Church: Churches throughout country seem to be failing when viewed through the perspective of numbers, memberships, attendance. We look for reasons everywhere. My own church has changed drastically over the years. From two services, nearly at full seating capacity, to our current attendance of 30 or less. And we wonder. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Cassius says to Brutus, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” Ourselves? No, no, no, we aren’t the cause of churches struggling. Not us, we are in the pews. Must be something else, right? Continue reading
- Tuesday, October 13 - Heaven: What do you really know about Heaven? Not much, huh? Well, then, why do you want to be there? Not now, of course, but later. How do you even know that there is a place called Heaven? Maybe it is not even a place, maybe just a spirit thing. Let’s us assume that we are both right. There is a place, more than a spirit, but a real destination. How do you and I know that we would even qualify? Well, there’s another assumption, what are the standards we have to meet and where did they come from? Continue reading
- Monday, October 12 - Let Your Gentleness be Evident: How are we to read this statement? One way is to let your moderation be known to all – don’t keep it a secret, let it be such that others may see it. This does not mean to make an obvious display of it, but that it should be such a characteristic of our life that it would be visible to others. We all have the power to minimize anger or stir it up in response to someone or something said. I came across another translation that puts it this way: “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare”. A gentle person doesn't stir up drama, point out the mistakes of others, or compete with neighbors. Continue reading
- Saturday, October 10 - The Zax Encounter: A recent Our Daily Bread devotional began with this: “In one of Dr. Seuss’ whimsical stories, he tells of a “North-Going Zax and a South-Going Zax” crossing the Prairie of Prax. Upon meeting nose to nose, neither Zax will step aside. The first Zax angrily vows to stay put—even if it makes “the whole world stand still.” (Unfazed, the world moves on and builds a highway around them.)” Continue reading
- Friday, October 9 - What’s Next? We are in a period of time when things seem to be so uncertain. We might be asking ourselves the question, how can we be sure of anything? We may wonder what’s next? How do we plan? Is anything certain in our lives? What can we count on? What do we anchor our future on? The stock market? Our comfort? Pleasure? What? During my times of volunteering at Heifer International Learning Center, I was part of a team that hosted the “Welcome Center” at the Ranch. While our role was to welcome visitors and give tours, we also were a draw for other volunteers who would drop in for coffee and conversation, and to work on the large jig-saw puzzle that was often under construction for entertainment. Do you remember how you start such a puzzle? The key? Corner pieces. Continue reading
- Thursday, October 8 - What If…? I said, I’ll read the book you recommended. It may appeal to you but I’m not so sure. So, as promised, I began to read, and I got caught up in the plot. My hero was almost constantly at risk. So, as I’ve done before, I turned to the final chapter to see if my hero is still among the living. “What are you doing,” she asked? “You’re going to ruin the story.” Continue reading
- Tuesday, October 6 - Taste and See: Have you ever been invited to a real feast? I mean an incredible feast where you walk into the dining room and there before you a beautiful buffet. You are overwhelmed by the wonderful smells that surround you as you walk by the table. The hors d’oeuvres! The aroma is so--hmm. Even the vegetables make your mouth water. And then you walk by the main course and you again are overwhelmed by a perfect aroma that is hard to describe. And the sight---ah, the sight of all that blessed food! Continue reading
- Monday, October 5 - Going Back to Church: I suspect all of us are going through a period of adjustment, when we consider returning to the physical confines of the church building for worship service. It’s been pretty comfortable sitting in that living room, still in our pajamas, cup of coffee or tea at our elbow, remote in your hand, already to worship the Lord with the worship service streaming on your TV. Still, for Carol and I, and many of us, Communion is an important part of our worship, and we have really missed that. Continue reading
- Saturday, October 3 - It’s Saturday. Let’s have some fun! As you unscramble each word, consider its significance in your faith journey. The key is buried somewhere in this Watchword. Good Luck. From Stan just for you. Continue reading
- Friday, October 2 - There’s a place in the Getty Museum of Los Angeles, where you can stand in one spot and see this beautiful tree, straight and tall. Something happens if you were to edge even slightly to the left or the right, the tree changes. It’s an interesting phenomenon, because there isn’t a single tree, there are eight or 10 in a row, each the twin of the others. What you are experiencing is a form of art called anamorphic. Continue reading
- Rain - Rain: If you have never read Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein, you have missed out on wonderful excursions into fantasy drawings and poems, that tell stories, that frees your imagination, that sharpens your God-given gifts. It is not an adventure you should miss. Consider these 12 lines: ... Continue reading
- Tuesday, September 29 - Squirrel! Children's sermon -- Pastor: "What has four legs, scampers around on tree limbs, and has a big bushy tail?" No answer from the children. A clue is offered, "It likes nuts!" Finally, after a lengthy period of silence one small boy tentatively raises his hand and says: "I know the answer is Jesus, but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me." Continue reading
- Monday, September 28 - The Case Against the Disciples (and us!): Have you ever thought we are very much like the disciples? I know, we know that Jesus is the Messiah, God incarnate, so we have that in common with the disciples. While we are not fisherman, we are common, ordinary human beings, fallible, and yet, we are followers of Jesus. In a Watchword, some two months ago, I asked “When was the last time you denied Christ?” I got one or two responses to that. You know, that is the last thing we want to admit that we have somehow denied him. Yet, we often slipped to one side when we are called upon to act like Christians in word and in deed. Continue reading
- Saturday, September 26 - Are You a Storyteller? Our good friend, Mac McKinley, has been a storyteller all his life. He uses his gifts to communicate humor and interesting ideas, all with a moral, all with a lesson to be learned. For many years, Mac journeyed, on a weekly basis, to the children’s cancer ward of Lutheran Hospital where he shared his stories and amazed the children with his magic act. He has shared his talent from the pulpit as a lay minister and has given the children’s message with his stories. His is a talent we admire. Continue reading
- Friday, September 25 - Which is it? Ten or Two? I have a dear friend who is well-schooled in the Bible. You give him a passage, old or new testament it makes no difference, and he will give you the attribution; book, chapter and verse. At dinner gatherings, there were times when he quizzed us on the Ten Commandments, because he knows them by heart. He would ask: What is the seventh commandment? Someone of our group would guess, and he would correct their wrong answer. He is really quite amazing, just a tad overbearing at times with his knowledge. I’ve got a slightly different take on the Ten Commandments. Continue reading
- Thursday, September 24 - Oh, well… One time, years ago, when I was a member of a bowling league, I had nailed nine strikes in a row. As I stood at the line ready to roll that tenth ball for bowling immortality, for some inexplicable reason I started to giggle! Literally, I was laughing! First of all, I couldn’t believe that I was on the verge of a perfect game, but secondly, a crowd of friends and strangers had formed from about my seventh frame on, watching me and cheering! Just that thought seemed so ridiculous. Me, with a 156-bowling average. Me, one roll away from 300? Of course, I blew it! Ended with a spare. Still, not bad. My fans just walked away! Wait! Where are you going? Oh, well. Continue reading
- Tuesday, September 22 - Prayer. Part 2, the practical. Years ago, I was doing the children’s sermon, sitting with all the little ones gathered around me, and I asked them a simple question: how do you pray? Immediately I heard from one, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” From another, “God is great and God is good …” There were other contributions, some silly, some to the point. Then I asked them to show me what it looked like when they prayed. To a child, they folded their hands, bowed their heads and closed their eyes. They were showing me their posture for praying. Continue reading
- Monday, September 21 - Prayer – Part 1 – A Lay-person’s Prayer: It’s the start of another week, and as we consider all that is scheduled or unscheduled, all that we have to do, let’s put all of that aside. Let me use this meditation as a common prayer for all of us, a prayer which hopefully prepares each one of us for the day, and the week ahead. Find a comfortable place to sit, quiet, and get settled in. Focus your mind on the Holy Spirit within, on Jesus, Lord and Savior, and on our great and generous God. Let us begin: Good morning Heavenly Father... Continue reading
- Saturday, September 19 - Peace in the Storm: Peace is knowing that despite the reality of the storm there is a greater reality in the One who can calm the storm. Peace is the tranquility to stand in the storm and know without question that everything will be alright. Peace is knowing that Jesus is in the boat with me. When the rains fall and the winds blow, I can be content just knowing that he is in control. Real peace is attainable only in Christ. There is no security outside of Him, none. Isn’t that beautiful and true? Continue reading
