Author: John Willingham

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established…” –Psalm 8:3 Lori and I just returned from a trip through the national parks of Southern Utah. Known as The Mighty Five, they stretch across the Beehive State from Colorado to Nevada and include Arches, Read more

“And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness.” –Acts 4:29  The words above come one day after the disciples Peter and John encountered a man who had been unable to walk since birth. Calling on the name of Jesus, Peter healed him and then told Read more

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart.” –Proverbs 3:5 15 years ago, the Session of the congregation I served at the time gathered for a historic decision. Not every matter a church governing body considers rises to that level, of course. This one did as the group pondered next steps in a major renovation Read more

“But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described…how in Damascus Saul had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.” –Act 9:27 His name was Carl. When we first met, he had worked for the telephone company for 39 years. Some of my co-workers had warned me he was odd, even a curmudgeon. Read more

“Then the LORD said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.’” –1 Samuel 3:11 My college roommate Jim is a physician. We first met when I was 17 and have been friends ever since. Each of us served as Read more

“Jacob himself went on ahead of them,  bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother.”  –Genesis 33:3 A number of years ago, while still living in North Carolina, I was on my way to the Charlotte airport. I was heading to my sister’s home in Texarkana, Texas. She and her Read more

“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord.” –Colossians 3:23a Nearly 25 years ago, my family and I took a vacation to an Orlando theme park with the logo of a very large mouse. The four of us enjoyed the diverse rides and attractions, yet the one moment that left us Read more

“Honor everyone” 1 Peter 2:17a “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” Aretha Franklin famously sang, “find out what it means to me.” In our look at character traits desired for students and grown-ups alike, we come this week to the concept of respect. It’s a simple idea, honoring all people because everyone shares the divine spark with us. Yet as Read more

“‘Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” –Luke 18:5             The words above come from one of Jesus’ most uncomfortable parables.  He opens it by telling of a judge who had no respect for God or people.  Certainly those traits Read more

“What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.”–Micah 6:7 One day ten years ago, I was only a few miles from my brother’s home in Raleigh when blue lights appeared behind me. I was driving from Pennsylvania to officiate at my aunt’s Read more