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Revitalize Your Church Blog
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Encouraging pastors in small towns and rural communities. You can thrive where you are planted and touch the world from the end of it!
2022-08-10 01:40
I made an error when I listed my ordination succession a few weeks ago. I was ordained by Earle Wilson and he was ordained by William Neff.I had thought that Neff was ordained by… Read More
2022-07-12 12:27
Today, at the South Carolina Wesleyan District Conference, six individuals will be ordained as Wesleyan pastors. Dr. JoAnne Lyon will preside over the ordination service. Since J… Read More
2022-07-12 12:24
When Wesleyan General Superintendent, Wayne Schmidt, officiates ordination services, he is continuing a long, historic line of ministerial calling/leadership as the mantle is passed to… Read More
2022-04-11 19:29
2022-01-07 12:11
Matthew 7 stands against a censorious Christianity. "Judge not that ye be not judged"Mattew 13 stands against a coercive Christianity. "Let both wheat and tares grow together until the… Read More
2022-01-05 11:36
"Something greater than the temple is here." -- Matt. 12:6"Something greater than Jonah is here." -- Matt. 12:41"Something greater than Solomon is here." -- Matt. 12:42Here, Jesus clai… Read More
2021-06-29 23:40
"Much of our praying is like the little boy who rings the doorbell, but runs away before the door is opened." -- Leonard Ravenhill, Why Revival Tarries (quoted in H… Read More
2021-06-07 15:19
"What in the world am I doing here in Ethiopia?" I wondered, as I bounced in the jeep with missionary doctor, Harold Adolph.Our motor vehicle was the only one in sight. Slowly, we navi… Read More
2021-01-01 14:07
2020-12-15 18:22
The majority of protestant churches are in small towns and rural communities. Many pastors, upon graduation from seminary, find themselves in one of these "ends of the earth" assignments.The… Read More
2020-12-10 19:59
Merry Christmas from the Wilson's! What a strange and challenging year we've all had. Yet, God is faithful and sees us through life's perplexing challenges.Normally, our lives are full… Read More
2020-12-03 21:24
2020-12-02 15:05
2020-10-28 14:27
This is the PowerPoint of my Global Partners presentaion: Navigating Change and Transition in Ministry Read More
2020-09-18 12:58
God, grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot change,the courage to change the things I can,and the wisdom to know the difference.Living one day at a time,enjoying one moment at a… Read More
2020-09-16 10:27
“The thorn is one of the most cursed, and angry, and crabbed weeds that the earth yieldeth, and yet out of it springeth the rose, one of the sweetest-smelled flowers, and most delightf… Read More
2020-09-11 11:30
For the beauty of the earth,For the beauty of the skies,For the love which from our birthOver and around us lies,Chorus:Lord of all, to thee we raiseThis our hymn of grateful praise.For the… Read More
2020-09-10 10:02
How small that is, with which we wrestle,What wrestles with us, how immense;Were we to let ourselves, the way things do,Be conquered thus by the great storm--We would become far-reaching and… Read More
2020-09-06 11:44
A Prayer of a Minor Prophet by A. W. Tozer (revised/updated by Mark O. Wilson)This is the prayer of a man called to be a witness to the nations. This is what he said to his Lord on the… Read More
2020-08-22 11:47
Each step I take my Savior goes before me, And with His loving hand He leads the way. And with each breath I whisper, I adore Thee;O what joy to walk with Him each day.At times I f… Read More
2020-08-19 00:55
"When emotional dynamics are healthy, organizations are vibrant, creative, risk-taking, and highly adaptable, being able to meet any challenge with ease while retaining the essence of their… Read More
2020-08-17 10:13
Lord, bless those embarking on this journey of higher education. Keep them safe, strong, and sensitive to your Holy Spirit. As they venture forth, may they sense your presence and foll… Read More
2020-08-08 11:44
Sometimes, when climbing out of bed I must remind myself of Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” This exercise is especially… Read More
2020-06-26 14:07
Morning glory, starlit sky,soaring music, scholar’s truth,flight of swallows, autumn leaves,memory’s treasure, grace of youth:Open are the gifts of God,gifts of love to mind and… Read More
2020-06-23 11:06
“I watched them tearing a building down,A gang of men in a busy town.With a ho-heave-ho and a lusty yell,They swung a beam, and the side wall fell.I asked the foreman: "Are these skill… Read More
2020-05-25 21:29
Today Cathy, Hannah and I visited the grave of Furman Smith, the first Medal of Honor recipient (U.S. military's highest decoration) from the state of South Carolina.Smith, a 19-year-old far… Read More
2020-05-24 12:28
Here is the account from John Wesley's journal:Wednesday, May 24, 1738In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface t… Read More
2020-05-20 13:39
Sometimes people avoid reality by praying for painless miracles when they should be dealing honestly with their situation. "Watch and pray," Jesus said (Matthew 26:41). &hell…Read More
2020-05-19 14:40
“We live by encouragement,” said actress Celeste Holm, “and we die without it – slowly, sadly, angrily.”Every person you meet needs encouragement. It&rsqu&hell…Read More
2020-05-14 14:40
George had problems -- lots of problems.George had problems with his wife. She was too demanding.George had problems with his daughter. She was too whiny.George had problems with… Read More
2020-05-12 19:26
This month, Fred and Sondra Andrews retired from vocational ministry after serving Alive Wesleyan Church (Central, SC) since 1977. Before this, they were Wesleyan missionaries in Sierra Leon… Read More
2020-05-09 18:06
2020-04-30 19:22
A webinar devotional teaching I shared with a group of pastors from the Indiana South District of the Wesleyan Church. I thought it might be an encouoragement to you Read More
2020-04-04 12:52
Sheltering at home, I am reminded of Thomas Merton's "Thoughts in Solitude":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 where it w… Read More
2020-03-24 11:46
During the Great Pestilence of 1637, Martin Rinkart, age 31, found himself in a distressing situation as the only clergyperson in Eilenburg, Germany. The plague had broken out in this war to… Read More
2020-03-22 13:34
Keep a RoutineBe With JesusExerciseCheck on a NeighborOnly check News Twice a DayLimit Escaping Behavior (Netflix & Social Media)Share Toilet PaperGreat advice from my pastor, Pastor Tom… Read More
2020-03-20 10:24
Troubled waters swirl and crashin restless waveson Gitche Gumee's southern side.Somehow, I identifywith heavy sighing.But still, looking long and upI see a large horizondeep waters fading bl… Read More
2020-03-19 16:10
As a pastor, I was often called upon to say prayers several times a day. My prayers, as Adolph Bedsole (1964) noted in Parson to Parson, can be summarized by the following categories:1… Read More
2020-03-18 14:49
GatheringCall to WorshipWaymakerPrayer for Troubled TimesL: The Lord listens to us in times of trouble and joy.P: We call to the Lord in our anxiety and fear.L: God will not turn away from u… Read More
2020-03-01 15:26
“How much more will the grace and the gift overflow to the many?” (Rom 5:15)Sin overflows the bank. We live in a part of the country where it often floods when it rain… Read More
2020-02-28 11:34
“One of the great things about being a pastor is that you have these people stagger in, not every day but on some days, and they have just been plodding along in life, minding their ow… Read More
2020-02-26 12:04
In honor of Ash Wednesday, I'm re-posting the following story from my first book, Filled Up, Poured Out: How God's Spirit Can Revive Your Passion and Purpose.Northern Wisconsin is Luth… Read More
2020-02-23 13:23
On Sunday morning, the preacher stands behind the pulpit and looks out upon a group of people who think they are Methodists. In reality, a lot of them are Shintos, who are worshipping t… Read More
2020-02-22 20:39
John Wesley was only five years old when he was literally saved from a burning building. The fire nearly caused Wesley his life, but by God's grace, he was rescued from an upstairs window se… Read More
2020-02-14 11:22
Whenever Valentines Day comes around, I think about the day Cathy said "I do" back in ’82. She was abeautiful bride, bold and confident. When it was my turn to say the vows, I bl… Read More
2020-02-11 11:15
New every morning is the loveour wakening and uprising prove;through sleep and darkness safely brought,restored to life and power and thought.New mercies, each returning day,hover around us… Read More
2020-01-27 12:30
Give us your Spirit, Lord. Grant us a peaceful day,— when evening comes we will praise you with joy and purity of heart.Give us your Spirit, Lord. Let your splendor rest upon us today… Read More
2020-01-21 21:04
Excuses are a dime a dozen. You can come up with all kinds of them to explain why you haven't been your best.You can blame the boss.You can blame the environment.You can blame your family.Yo… Read More
2020-01-08 11:29
Just an ugly old stump -- that's all it was -- and old stumps carry no hopes or dreams.Only maps and memory ringsof thirsty days, hard toil, and weary longingsembedded to the core.Just… Read More
2020-01-01 12:45
Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be, in working or in waiting, another year with thee; another year of leaning upon thy loving breast, another year of trusting, o… Read More
2019-12-31 14:42
Here we stand at the threshold of the New Year. 2019 will soon be passed and packed away, living only in the attic of memories. Looking ahead to 2020, I can guarantee one thing: a lot… Read More
2019-12-14 20:58
Season’s Greetings to all of our special loved ones. We are grateful for God’s many blessings throughout 2019, which was quite a year for our family: Adam and Alexandra were mar… Read More
2019-12-10 12:35
2019-12-06 13:20
29 years ago today, God did a beautiful work in my heart that changed my life. I call this turning point my "Sanctuary Experience". Allow me to share a chapter from my book, Purp… Read More
2019-11-26 23:24
Reflecting on the old Thanksgiving hymn, For the Beauty of the Earth , I am truly grateful. . . 1) For the Beauty of the EarthThose of us living near the beautiful South Carolina m… Read More
2019-11-26 12:06
C. S. Lewis connected worship with wellbeing when he wrote:The obvious fact about praise—whether of God or anything—strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment… Read More
2019-11-07 22:56
To demonstrate chiastic structure in Hebrew poetry (ABCCBA) for my Old Testament Survey class, I created the following chiasmus:Social media ranting (A)Wastes time, (B)Makes enemies. (C)To m… Read More
2019-11-06 12:15
"Why does the Torah tell us to place the words upon your hearts? Why doesn't it tell us to place them in our hearts?," a student asked the rabbi.The rabbi replied, "It is because our h… Read More
2019-11-05 01:13
2019-11-03 00:25
In his recent book about the aging process, On the Brink of Everything, Parker Palmer, the poetic educator from University of Wisconsin, recounts the following challenge he gave to a gr… Read More
2019-11-01 10:09
For all the saints who from their labors rest,who thee by faith before the world confessed,thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.Alleluia! Alleluia!Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and th… Read More
2019-10-31 11:08
2019-10-16 22:35
Joy is serious business! It is the natural state of the soul. Joylessness is like a toothache, which indicates an internal cavity -- or worse.When we realize the joy has evaporated -- it's t… Read More
2019-08-16 11:04
A young pastor once contacted me, seeking suggestions for effective ministry in his small community. Here is my response:1. Think Big and Little.Too many rural pastors suffer fro… Read More
2019-08-04 11:05
The flags in town are half mast today. It seems we've had more than our share of "half-mastings" recently.The flags represent our hearts -- they're at half mast too.As the flags go down… Read More
2019-07-01 11:20
Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be canonized on October 13, wrote the beautiful and haunting hymn, "Lead Kindly Light" when he was kept far from home due to an unexpected illness and tr… Read More
2019-05-25 11:36
"Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrod, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with courage, not knowing wher… Read More
2019-05-23 10:34
An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps. "Where would you like to sit?" he asked po… Read More
2019-04-29 11:12
"I often think of the Holy Spirit as a mighty river, but a river dammed and held back by obstacles of one kind or another. Fancy a man standing on the dam and pleading in prayer with t… Read More
2019-04-20 12:43
A Holy Saturday poem by John Keble. Be sure to read the first lines of the last stanza:AT length the worst is o’er, and Thou art laid Deep in thy darksome bed; All still and co… Read More
2019-04-17 10:53
“We can use all the right techniques and methods, we can have the best possible liturgy, but we have not worshiped the Lord until Spirit touches spirit”-- Richard Foster Read More
2019-04-15 10:55
1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman . . Neither works.4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.5… Read More
2019-04-13 14:04
Innovative cultures are generally depicted as pretty fun. They’re characterized by a tolerance for failure and a willingness to experiment. They’re seen as being psychologically… Read More
2019-04-12 11:02
All around us worlds are dying and new worlds are being born; all around us life is dying and life is being born. The fruit ripens on the tree, the roots are silently at work in the dar… Read More
2019-04-05 19:54
Come Let Us Reason Together, by J. A. Ludwig, of New Brunswick, is a delightful 10 week Bible study guide to help Christians with practical dimensions of their faith. Filled… Read More
2019-03-26 11:00
I have a sledgehammer in my shed, and I also have a small finishing hammer. They are both equally important to me.If I had to choose between the two, I suppose I'd pick the little guy. He's… Read More
2019-03-19 10:03
"In our culture of multitasking, the neural circuits devoted to scanning, skimming, and multitasking are expanding and strengthening, while those used for reading and thinking deeply, with s… Read More
2019-03-09 15:03
"Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person's… Read More
2019-03-06 11:36
In honor of Ash Wednesday, I'm re-posting the following story from my first book, Filled Up, Poured Out: How God's Spirit Can Revive Your Passion and Purpose.Northern Wisconsin is Luth… Read More
2019-02-25 13:30
My journey has taught that I have choices...I can “repent” or “repeat”. I can “soar” or be “sore”. I can “smile and grin&rdquo&hell…Read More
2019-02-14 10:59
2019-02-13 12:12
Father in heaven! You have loved us first, help us never to forget that You are love so that this sure conviction might triumph in our hearts over the seduction of the world, over the inquie… Read More
2019-02-11 12:17
Some people bring joy wherever they go. Others bring joy when they go!I like to call the former, “old shoe friends.” When you have an old pair of shoes that are really comfo… Read More
2019-01-25 14:15
A tattered book on my library shelf, Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians, by James Gilchrist Lawson, has been a tremendous blessing and spiritual benefit to me down through the years. &n&hell…Read More
2019-01-21 18:37
“Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the bein… Read More
2019-01-18 11:14
“It doesn’t have to be blue iris, it can be weeds in a vacant lot. Just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate. This isn&rsqu&hell…Read More
2019-01-06 12:37
Three kings bow before the holy infant The heartwarming image from Christmas cards touches our hearts. Of course -- there's a lot to the story we don't know. 1. We don't know if th… Read More
2019-01-02 11:47
"Dusty, musty, wrapped in the mummy-like grave clothes of formalism and modern theology, without an 'amen' in the soul or a 'hallelujah' upon the lips, without the soft flowing pearls of ers… Read More
2019-01-01 14:09
.A few years ago I developed a version of John Wesley's Covenant Renewal with updated language for my church based on the works of George Lyon and Jeren Rowel. We used it the first Sun… Read More
2018-12-31 15:27
Here we stand at the threshold of the New Year. 2018 will soon be passed and packed away, living only in the attic of memories. Looking ahead to 2019, I can guarantee one thing: a lot… Read More
2018-12-29 13:36
When the song of the angels is stilled,When the star in the sky is gone,When the kings and the princes are home,When the shepherds are back with their flocks,The work of Christmas begins:To… Read More
2018-12-07 14:55
I have a needof such clearanceas the Savior effected in the temple of Jerusalema riddance of clutterof what is secondarythat blocks the wayto the all important central emptinesswhich is fill… Read More
2018-12-01 13:29
In her devotional, Edges of His Ways (1932), the great missionary, Amy Carmichael (1932).wrote the following based on: Psalm 68:13: Though ye have lien among the pots. . . .I thin… Read More
2018-11-30 13:18
"Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older, and will someday be old."Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say s… Read More
2018-11-29 11:10
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,forgive our foolish ways;reclothe us in our rightful mind,in purer lives thy service find,in deeper reverence, praise. In simple trust like theirs who he… Read More
2018-11-28 11:39
"You cannot effectively lead from a heart of insecurity.Security encourages debate; insecurity fears debate.Security encourages criticism; insecurity fears criticism.Security welcomes d… Read More
2018-11-21 17:34
Thanksgiving is not a holiday -- it's an attitude! If it's just a holiday for us, then we let ourselves off the hook. "I'll celebrate Thanksgiving one day a year, and be a grouch the other 3… Read More
2018-11-17 11:20
“The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for others i… Read More
2018-11-15 00:42
A man went to the doctor, worried about his wife’s temper. The doctor asked, “What’s the problem?” The man said, “Doctor, I don’t know… Read More
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