DEVOTIONAL
We must continue to love and let God lead us
As the story goes, a man and his family weathered a catastrophic storm. It raged mercilessly and ravaged their whole existence. They held onto each ...
Michael Kendall, Author at Farmville
DEVOTIONAL
Lent should give us time to think
As a generation, we live as people who seem to move faster and faster. The illusion is that the more we move, the more we ...
by Michael Kendall, Friday, March 6, 2020 6:00 am
DEVOTIONAL
‘A Deep Breath’
Take a deep breath. Now exhale. It is something you have done thousands of times today before you even saw these words. It is likely ...
by Michael Kendall, Sunday, February 9, 2020 10:44 am
DEVOTIONAL
Can we talk?
Conversation. It can be chit-chat or heart-to-heart. It can be lengthy or short. It can be heated. It can be cool. But it is one ...
by Michael Kendall, Saturday, January 11, 2020 8:30 am
DEVOTIONAL
‘Santa’s Prayer’
I confess I have a lump in my throat. Call me a sap. I don’t care. Saint Nicholas, a Christian saint, is a model of ...
by Michael Kendall, Friday, December 13, 2019 11:18 am
DEVOTIONAL
More than one day a week
Full disclosure. I am a pastor and it is pastor appreciation month. I am not soliciting comments and cards myself — I have been well ...
by Michael Kendall, Sunday, October 20, 2019 7:00 am
DEVOTIONAL
Key ingredient
Banana bread. Since childhood it has been one of my weaknesses. It was a longed-for treat, made by my nana. Her recipe was one of ...
by Michael Kendall, Monday, September 23, 2019 3:26 am
DEVOTIONAL
‘Do unto others’
My wife and I have been packing up our oldest son for his freshman year at college. He will be attending a small, Methodist college ...
by Michael Kendall, Monday, August 26, 2019 1:43 am
Columns
Prepare the highway
I have lived in various parts of our state and have numerous friends who have worked to build our system of roads and highways. There ...
by Michael Kendall, Sunday, July 28, 2019 5:00 am
Columns
People of hope
Some day. People often think about the plans they make for the future. We have dreams and hopes that lie within us, or the longing, ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, June 27, 2019 10:25 am
Columns
Summer school challenge
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Those words abide in the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, known as The Lord’s Prayer. I think of ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, May 30, 2019 10:46 am
Columns
With all my heart
This weekend is our town’s annual Heart of Virginia Festival. I look forward to seeing people from all around Farmville, across our region and guests ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, May 2, 2019 8:02 am
Columns
‘On Christ the solid rock’
We are entering the latter days of Lent. This season of spring-growth and spiritual preparation in discipleship is a profound opportunity for freshness and wonder. ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, April 4, 2019 8:17 am
Columns
‘Come sit by me …’
I am a United Methodist Church pastor. We have been in the news recently as our 864 elected global delegates met in St. Louis, Feb. ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, March 7, 2019 11:20 am
Columns
‘All in the next words we say’
I am given choices each day. How to spend it, how to invest my time, how to leave a mark in this world, to contribute ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, February 7, 2019 9:51 am
Columns
‘A bit more every day’
I grew up in Gloucester Point, at the mouth of the York River. My parents still live in the house they bought when I was ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, January 10, 2019 8:12 am
Columns
‘Tracks in the snow …’
Looking around at what the weather has visited upon us, I recall as a child how I delighted in the fresh landscape of new snow. ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, December 13, 2018 9:01 am
Columns
‘Thanksgiving when there is nothing left’
Clang. The bucket goes down in the well. It doesn’t go splash. There is no water. It doesn’t go splat, hitting mud. It goes clang. ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, November 15, 2018 8:52 am
Columns
The good neighbor …
Friends, I composed this article on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 11, prior to the devastating afternoon wind and rains that hit our region. I ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, October 18, 2018 8:43 am
Columns
‘God, Where Are You?’
As I write this, the Carolinas are under the cloud of Hurricane Florence, and in many places underwater. Once again, humans are faced with the ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, September 20, 2018 8:55 am
Columns
‘Strengthening our core’
My daughter is a dancer. She has enjoyed the expression of music and movement since she was barely able to walk. Through the years she ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, August 23, 2018 9:18 am
Columns
Refreshed and renewed
As we go through the hot summer season, the earth, animals and people often long to be refreshed. Periodic rainstorms can come and cool the ...
by Michael Kendall, Wednesday, July 25, 2018 7:54 pm
Columns
‘Welcome to town!’
In the traditions of my church, this is a week of change. Pastors are shuffling to new locations, reporting to new assignments. Those who move ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, June 28, 2018 10:58 am
Columns
‘The peace of Christ’
I remember as a child going to summer Vacation Bible School and learning a song that said, “I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, down ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, May 31, 2018 7:42 am
Columns
‘A Matter of the Heart’
This weekend, our community hosts thousands of neighbors and visitors with our “Heart of Virginia Festival.” We look forward to the annual collection of booths ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, May 3, 2018 12:53 pm
Columns
‘What now?’
Annually, the Christian community celebrates the final days, death and resurrection of Jesus. We profess that this One is the presence of God, come among ...
by Michael Kendall, Thursday, April 5, 2018 10:44 am
Columns
‘Dead or alive’
Signs of spring are around earlier this year. Even with the first day of spring still weeks away, we see fresh blooms all around us. ...