Author: John Willingham
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The Generational Gift
“Why are you…placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors or we have been able to bear?” –Acts 15:10 The Biblical verse above comes from a day the first church governing body had a critical decision to make. Each of the men on that council was part of the initial… Read more
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Moments of Wonder
“The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below.” –Joshua 2:11b More than twenty years ago, Lori and I were keeping a secret. After numerous conversations with the search committee from a Presbyterian church in Pennsylvania, there came the moment we knew I was going to the recommended candidate for… Read more
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An End to Buffering
“Do you have eyes and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear?” –Mark 8:18 This post goes live on Super Bowl Sunday. In the region where I live, there is a clear hope the result of the game this time around will be different than when the same teams met two… Read more
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A Living Psalm
“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” –Psalm 100:5 The 100th Psalm is one of my favorites. As a pastor I often used it to open a worship service as the words are so fitting for such occasions. “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all… Read more
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Our Words Matter
“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up…” –Ephesians 4:29a It’s been cold. As I write these words, we have just concluded a week in Southeast Pennsylvania with multiple days of single-digit temperatures. We just had our first significant snowfall, too. While I enjoy the change… Read more
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Time to Act
“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” –Matthew 19:14 One of the joys for me in retirement is having more time to read. It isn’t a new love. As a child, my mother often found me reading a… Read more
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Seeing the Truth
“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” –John 9:25 One of my favorite Biblical scenes recalls a day when Jesus restores sight to a man who has been blind from birth. The narrative fills the entire ninth chapter of John’s gospel. In it, the author describes the most hands-on… Read more
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The Best Place to Start
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” –2 Timothy 3:16 Some of you will recall from a September post that my first full-time job after college was with the Bell System. I started at an office in Gastonia, North Carolina, but after… Read more
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Glimpses of Grace
“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you.” –Philippians 1:3-4 This post marks the completion of my blog’s first year. I began Ordinary Grace in January and at least once each week since have offered a true story that spoke… Read more
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A Manger in the Living Room
“and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” –Luke 2:7b The chapter from which the verse above comes is a beloved part of Scripture. It is often dramatized in churches during December. Despite that broad familiarity, every Christmas pageant I have seen has included a character and… Read more