There’s nothing wrong with fellowship, and several of us from my church have found it at a Mexican restaurant — Some months back — I’m not sure exactly when it started or how — a group from my church started going to La Rivera Mexican Cantina in Shelbyville for the weekly trivia night, organized by BrainBlast Entertainment. It was meant as just a fun night of fellowship — nothing specifically…

Kelley’s Chapel United Methodist Church, August 20, 2023 — Matthew 15:10–28 (CEB) Jesus called the crowd near and said to them, “Listen and understand. It’s not what goes into the mouth that contaminates a person in God’s sight. It’s what comes out of the mouth that contaminates the person.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you…

What’s lactofermentation? Why should you care? — For most people, especially here in Tennessee Whiskey country, the term “fermentation” suggests alcohol. Alcohol is certainly the product of fermentation; yeast consume carbohydrates from grains or fruit juices and produce alcohol as a byproduct. …

A chance encounter that made me smile — We’ve all had those fun, surprising chance encounters. You’re on vacation, halfway across the country, and you meet someone who lives two doors down from you back home. I had such an encounter today — not really that coincidental, if you think hard about it, since there was a good…

If you’ve tried banana soft serve, you know. If not, prepare for a revelation. — I’m about to give you the instructions for making a delightful frozen dessert. I guarantee you will love its creamy texture, like your favorite fast food or buffet soft-serve, and its simple, sweet flavor. Of course, you may need to do some shopping. To assist with this, I’m about to…

Tennessee-Western Kentucky United Methodist Annual Conference, Day 1 — “[T]he love of God,” said Dr. Ashley Boggan, “compels us to be weird.” The United Methodist Church is divided into administrative units called Annual Conferences. The term “annual conference” refers to the geographic region, its administration, and, of course, an annual event. Each Annual Conference is broken up into districts…

I understand the challenges, but I still believe the United Methodist Church has a future. — Two weeks from today, I’ll be in Memphis, attending the first day of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. I’ll be there in my role as lay leader of the Stones River District. I took that volunteer position two years ago. A lot has happened in…

Am I a hugger? Should I be? — Two or three months ago, I was in the middle of a family crisis which was wearing me and my siblings down. I was stressed and exhausted. I was at church and spoke briefly to one of my fellow church members, a retired teacher, about the situation. She consoled me. …

Friendship United Methodist Church and Marble Hill United Methodist Church, May 21, 2023 — Luke 24:44–53 (CEB) Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures…