On the Easel

On the Easel

On the wall in my office is a simple watercolor of a single artist’s paint brush, laid horizontally. Printed discreetly beneath the brush is this quiet, artist’s prayer: “Paint in my life a portrait of Jesus.” I treasure this art print, a gift from a Vineyard...
How Then Shall We Worship?

How Then Shall We Worship?

American cartoonist H.T. Webster, for his comic strip, The Timid Soul (circa 1924), created his character, Casper Milquetoast, who was described as the man ‘who speaks softly and gets hit with a big stick.’ Today, the term, ‘milquetoast’ refers to any timid soul...
That was just the appetizer?

That was just the appetizer?

A recently heard, touching story is worth retelling here. While on vacation in Australia, a man retired from the US Coast Guard was visiting a winery for a tasting of fortified wines called Port, for which this winery was renowned. As the group of tourists was getting...
A Cup of Water

A Cup of Water

It’s the nightmare of every host and hostess. A request for more food or more to drink – but there isn’t any more! (that’s why we usually over-compensate by an over-abundance, just to be sure it doesn’t happen on our watch!) If it’s the fourth day of Jewish wedding...
A Note from Pastor DON:

A Note from Pastor DON:

“You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose...