Sowing Seeds
Some tips on how to overcome anxiety
It was a stressful day. Later, feeling anxious and concerned, unable to sleep, I started praying and searching through scripture. I searched Google for prayers ... Read more
7 months ago by Larry Davies.
Aprons and the rice pastor
Wearing an apron is a practical symbol of service. Jesus wrapped a towel around him similar to an apron to wash the disciples’ feet. If ... Read more
8 months ago by Larry Davies.
We need a desire to follow and a trust in God’s path
“My Lord God I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain ... Read more
8 months ago by Larry Davies.
Church full of dead people
I dreamed God placed me in a church during Sunday worship. I walked up and down the aisle among lots of people. They all looked ... Read more
8 months ago by Larry Davies.
COLUMN — Dona nobis pacem
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, ... Read more
8 months ago by Larry Davies.
Goodbye to 2020
Here is an anonymous posting on social media — “Observations for 2020” 1. The dumbest thing I ever bought was a 2020 planner. 2. I ... Read more
8 months ago by Larry Davies.
COLUMN — Experiencing clown communion on Christmas Eve
Christmas has passed. We lit our candles, opened our gifts and celebrated the birth of Jesus. Because of the threat of COVID-19, many of us ... Read more
9 months ago by Larry Davies.
Sending a message of peace from the moon
The year 1968 was difficult. The Vietnam war was raging. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. Riots occurred at the Chicago Democratic ... Read more
9 months ago by Larry Davies.
Lessons on spiritual leadership
EDITOR’S NOTE: This column is continued from the article by Larry Davies in the Friday, Dec. 11 edition. Thanks to my less than inspired leadership, ... Read more
9 months ago by Larry Davies.
Properly leading a choir is harder than it looks
Recently, during worship, I interrupted the director just as she was about to lead the choir. “Excuse me. I’m sorry to interrupt, but do you ... Read more
9 months ago by Larry Davies.
‘I pray for snow and a hamster’
A few years ago, our children’s ministry set up a Christmas tree. Next to the tree, they provided markers and paper that could be folded ... Read more
10 months ago by Larry Davies.
Lessons from Ed about giving thanks
I like Thanksgiving. It’s a time of food and family togetherness. People come together from all over to gather, eat, share family memories, watch football ... Read more
10 months ago by Larry Davies.
COLUMN — A bag of mulch and a message
I just wanted a bag of mulch at the discount store, but the cashier discovered a hole in the bag, so someone was sent to ... Read more
10 months ago by Larry Davies.
God can turn failure into great success
“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something ... Read more
10 months ago by Larry Davies.
The little church that could
While obsessed with a worldwide pandemic and Election Day worries, it’s helpful to remember that God is still in control and often provides the best ... Read more
11 months ago by Larry Davies.
Confessions of a potato race cheater
A few years ago, I participated in a Halloween gathering at church to support our youth group. As a part of my participation, I was ... Read more
11 months ago by Larry Davies.
God can work miracles through us
Drayton wrote about tense moments he experienced while waiting for his wife’s surgery. “It was 10 o’clock at night and Robin was outside looking at ... Read more
11 months ago by Larry Davies.
The old-fashioned, fire-engine-red water pump
In my office, there is an old-fashioned, fire-engine-red hand water pump given to me by a dear friend. I have seldom used one, but there ... Read more
11 months ago by Larry Davies.
Ministry also includes the sparrows
One morning following Easter during my quiet time with God, I was mentally rehashing all the wonderful things that happened. I was feeling good – ... Read more
12 months ago by Larry Davies.
Some continued thoughts on prayer
Last week’s message about prayer raised more questions than answers. Is God listening? How do we recognize God’s answers? How do we block out stresses? ... Read more
12 months ago by Larry Davies.
Prayer is a key to our relationship with God
“Does God answer prayer?” I asked. “Of course. Yes. Always,” people usually answer. “Then, why don’t we pray more frequently?” After a long silence, there ... Read more
12 months ago by Larry Davies.
Make friends with problems
“Make friends with problems in your life. The best way to befriend your problems is to thank Me for them. This simple act opens your ... Read more
1 year ago by Larry Davies.
Learning about trust in the dentist’s chair
If asked to name three scary movie scenes: • A flock of birds sitting, waiting, staring — ready to attack: Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” • ... Read more
1 year ago by Larry Davies.
Blessed are the peacemakers
The Republican and the Democratic parties recently completed their conventions nominating their candidate for president of the U.S. From the speeches you would think that ... Read more
1 year ago by Larry Davies.
What will you do with your field?
Our leadership group discussed a devotion called, “The Field” written by Bishop Schnase. We were asked to imagine ourselves receiving the gift of a field ... Read more
1 year ago by Larry Davies.
A bright cross and pruning
I was angry? Why angry? I was attending an evening class at a retreat center along with other church leaders. The speaker was teaching how ... Read more
1 year ago by Larry Davies.
COLUMN — The English teacher and buried treasure
My 10th-grade English teacher, Ms. Comstock, lived and breathed literature, drama, and the theater. At one time she had been a successful actress. When we ... Read more