Musings

By Pastor Dave Holland Gently falling snow paved my walk to our village church on Christmas Eve so long ago. We lived a few blocks from the church I pastored in that small New England town and I expected the Light of the World to visit us as we celebrated...

By Sean Dietrich I feel a little silly writing you. Recently, I wrote a column about how when I was a boy I always wanted you to bring me a cowboy hat. A silver-belly colored Stetson. A few days later, one showed up on my porch from an anonymous person....

By Gueary Clendenning Christmas is just around the corner. After Thanksgiving, the pace quickens toward the big day! We’ll find ourselves in a big rush, always pursuing one more thing we need to get accomplished. We look for the nearest parking spot in the crowded mall, searching for the perfect...

By Kirk McCarley Thumbing through a magazine, one came across the article, “What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?” Some of the publication’s regular readers weighed in: • We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another. • Don’t act like the destination is more important than the journey. If...

By Pastor Dave Holland My older brother Bob was always a big guy, and children often called him mean names like Fatty and Fatso. Later, due to his service in the Vietnam War, Bob had terrible nightmares. He tried to silence those dreams with toxic portions of alcohol and pot. Eventually,...

By Sean Dietrich Birmingham—I am eating hotel breakfast in the dining room. This past year, my wife and I have stayed in nearly sixty thousand hotels. That is only an estimate. And I rounded down. I have become so accustomed to hotels that when I fall asleep in my own bed...

By Barry Carpenter, Lead Pastor, Destin United Methodist Church Steven Covey wrote one of the most influential books in modern times that has influenced many, including myself. The book, The Habits of Highly Effective People, outlines seven habits that change people’s lives. People who practice these habits energize, encourage, and empower...

By Lauren Catanese Unforgiveness has a way of creeping up on us. One moment your energy is happy, joyful and at peace. Then someone comes around or a certain situation happens and the next thing you notice your mood has completely shifted. Your body might get tense, your smile disappears,...

By Dave Holland Sometime back I met a middle-aged couple who decided it was time to come back to church. Mike and Ruth were going through very difficult circumstances - Mike had been given a month to live. During surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his abdomen, the mass...

By Sean Dietrich In honor of college football season, I want to tell you about the biggest SEC football fan I know. He lives in Monroeville, Alabama, which is your quintessential all-American town. Walk the square and take a trip backward on the timeline. Drive around town. You’ll see barbecue...