Category: Uncategorized
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Money Well Spent
Buying something of quality is something that John Wesley agreed with. He would opt to buy an expensive quality wool coat that would last for years rather than a cheap coat that would last one winter. I feel the same way about tools. Having a tool that works right every time is money well spent.
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Prepared to Serve
This week I received a call from a church. They were concerned about the security of bequests that a member had given to their church. Two issues were raised: Ten years ago, these could have been thoughts of longtime church members that were only shared privately between friends. Today, these issues are raised publicly at
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Let the “Son” Shine in
In 1969, The 5th Dimension sang “Let the Sunshine In.” After a year and a half of living with Covid restrictions, getting the vaccine is like letting the sunshine in. To sit with friends and see their faces is truly a gift. Who would have thought just two short years ago, that seeing a smile
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Where There’s a Will… There’s a Bequest / Part II
Last week we talked about the decisions that need consideration as individuals discern how they want to construct their estate and gift plans. Very often, church members consider leaving a bequest to their church. It would bring great peace of mind, if they knew that the church was prepared and capable to receive and manage
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Where There’s a Will… There’s a Bequest
When it comes to charitable giving, donors are faced with several decisions; and the larger the gift, the heavier those decisions. To illustrate my point I’ll create a fictitious donor – Edith Bunker, age 78, widowed with no children. Since her husband’s death three years ago, Edith has decided it is time to update her
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Are We There Yet?
The question “Are we there yet?” is most often asked by children sitting in the back seat of a car headed for a summer vacation. The response from the driver is usually “almost” there. Almost and yet are like “carrots and peas”, they compliment each other. Almost and yet are liminal words, connoting a transition
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Thrown into the 21st Century
Life today looks much different than it did 40 years ago. In 1981, who would have imagined the services and options that a mobile phone offers to people in 2021? I can remember the push-button phone, and when traveling, looking for a pay phone to make a call. I remember the first ATM’s; today I
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From the Heart
In a couple weeks members and friends of the United Methodist Church will celebrate Aldersgate Sunday. Aldersgate is a street in London; just an average ordinary street. Yet this street is remembered because it was there, 283 years ago, that John Wesley felt his heart strangely warmed. He knew in his soul that he was
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Skin in the Game
The phrase “skin in the game” originated from horse racing. Owners of the racehorses had the most to gain or lose because they had “skin in the game.” Today this phrase is most often used in financial and investment circles. Bankers like to see a large down payment when lending money because the borrower has
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Being the Body
St. Paul told us in his letter to the Corinthians that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our physical body cannot be separated from the breath of our creator, God. We embody God – the Holy Spirit. In fact, our bodily senses can help us encounter the risen Christ. Perhaps the best