Jim’s Jottings 2

I always have several books started, some regarding work, some regarding current issues, and some just for stimulation. I am currently reading The Church of All Ages. Generations Worshipping Together by Howard Vanderwell, published by The Alban Institute. Vanderwell contends that the church worships best when all generations are present and respected equally, inclusive of [...]

Jim’s Jottings . . .

I write knowing that this is the last “Jottings” that I will write for your newsletter. The end comes! It seems impossible that ten months have passed so quickly. I thank you for the opportunity to have served you. I will remember this time fondly. So what words should be said besides thank you? I [...]

Jim’s Jottings

Someone came up the idea of the “missional church” several years ago and churches embraced this concept as the newest and latest thing. Some might question this however. Weren’t we always to be missional? Didn’t Jesus send us out forth to be missional from the time He commissioned the church? Some contend that missional used [...]

Jim’s Jottings

Last week’s sermon introduced an important woman in our family’s life – Jessie.  Our oldest son, now 36 years old, still calls her Grandma Jessie and his two children, who have never met her, know all the “Grandma Jessie” stories and revere her for her importance in the life of their father. I first met [...]

Jim’s Jottings (March)

PSALM 25:4 STATES: One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. To inquire in his temple! It is an interesting phrase as we come [...]

Jim’s Jottings #2 (February)

MEETING JESUS AGAIN Christians follow Jesus. Often we read and believe what others say about Jesus. Even our devotional time, we read a verse of the Bible and then read a paragraph about what others think. What if we focused only on Jesus for a time? Rev. Ed Dobson of Calvary Church, Grand Rapids, was [...]

Jim’s Jottings (February)

PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS Music: some call it the war department of the church. When did the battle begin? No one knows for sure, but the conflict existed centuries ago. At the time of the Reformation, the conflict divided those who chose Gregorian chant based anthems from those who chose chorales in the people’s [...]