West Franklin Family, You may or may not be aware that Dave Kruse has an older sister who lives in Wisconsin. She’s a nurse. She’s a nurse who owns a horse. We interviewed her on the podcast over a year ago here. On Wednesday, Dave took a one way flight to Wisconsin so he could help his sister bring her horse to Tennessee. They drove from Wisconsin to Tennessee on Thursday. Yep. Dave Kruse traveled North to aid in bringing... Read more
“This is a place that you never have to say ‘I’m sorry.’ I have been to a lot of different places, and I’ve caught myself saying ‘sorry,’ many many times.” These two sentences struck me. As a pastor, my first thought was “I wish this woman was talking about a church. I place where you never have to apologize? Sign me up.” My second thought was, “Maybe she is talking about churches? She claims to have been places where she... Read more
West Franklin Family, This week has me thinking a lot about momma’s. All of us have or have had one. Many of you are a momma. In May we celebrate mom’s. This month, I also get to celebrate my own mom’s birthday (17th) as well my wife’s (who is a momma) on the 13th. In addition, I get to see how my wife – as a mom – celebrates her firstborn child on his birthday every May (18th). Yes, I... Read more
West Franklin Family, I read this week that sports betting is a $120 billion business. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of online gambling in 2018 and, well, the floodgates burst. According to the article, “Before the legalization of online gambling, the great majority of Americans would go their entire life without being tempted to seek out a bookie or fly to the handful of jurisdictions in which in-person sports betting was permitted.” Things are different now. “What millions face... Read more
West Franklin Family, Jesus placed high value on little things. His go to analogy of the kingdom included small objects. A mustard seed. Yeast. A little leaven. A child. A grain of wheat. Salt. Pearls. A sheep. A coin. A son. Seeds falling in particular areas. You get the idea. Jesus loved to highlight the little things. Why? The things that generally go unnoticed tend to make the biggest impact. In the economy of the kingdom of God, the little... Read more
West Franklin Family, Wednesday I heard the most beautiful Christian message in a very surprising place. Current country music star Morgan Wallen (who rocks a killer mullet by the way) recently released a song called “Don’t Think Jesus.” When I saw the title, my first (and very judgmental) thought was, “oh great, another secular artist singing heretical thoughts about Jesus.” I was badly mistaken. It’s actually one of the best and accurate theological songs I have heard on the radio... Read more
West Franklin Family, Thursday morning I drove to Hartselle, Alabama. My mom wrote a book and was part of a home-town book signing at the Train Depot in the center of downtown. My sisters were there, along with some of their children (11 out of 15 grandchildren were present and accounted for). I got to see a couple of faces I had not seen in a long, long time. A fun day for sure. One gentleman I met for the... Read more
West Franklin Family, Tomorrow morning, God willing, we will gather for Easter Sunday services like we used to. You know, before we were quarantined or masked or separated by six feet. Tomorrow should feel like a “normal” Easter Sunday. He is Risen! I can’t wait. I bought a new shirt and coat for the occasion. Three services. Newly renovated sanctuary. Pretty dresses. Pastel shirts. Smiles. Hugs. Singing. Praying. Preaching. Earlier this week I commiserated with friends about what we “had”... Read more
Tuesday of Holy Week has been referred to as “Entrapment Tuesday.” Knowing the religious leaders are seeking to trap Him, on Holy Tuesday Jesus used a lot of words to teach, rebuke, warn, and challenge. In Mark’s version of the events that transpired that day, Jesus implored the disciples to do one thing in the months and years to come. In at least seven different ways, Jesus begged the disciples to watch. To look. To be alert. To be on... Read more
West Franklin Family, Tomorrow morning we will gather on the first day of Holy Week. The week named for the final days leading to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The week that included real events that changed the course of history. Events that changed the eternal fate of every believing human. Events that still change our lives on a continuous basis to this day. Holy. Beautiful. Excruciating. Dark. Light. Night. Day. Pain. Exhilaration. Holy Week. I strongly encourage you to... Read more
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