The book of Revelation has been interpreted at cross purposes with the writer’s original intent more than any other book of the Bible. John’s purpose in writing revelation was to bring hope to the  persecuted people of God. The opening verses state that the book’s purpose is not to cause fear, but to be a source of blessing:  “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it . . .” What’s the repeated word? Terrified? Intimidated? No. Blessed. 

Hexakosioihexakontahexaphobia - do you have it?? It’s the (irrational) fear of the number 666.

I’m here to give you the cure. 

The four Horsemen of the apocalypse riding out onto the world's stage is one of the most famous images in the book of Revelation. But what do they represent? What is their purpose? And what does it have to do with us in the 21st-century?

Now I know Revelation is not everyone’s cup of tea. 

But the problem is, if we don’t talk about it, someone else will. And with the situation in the Middle East, there are a lot of people talking! On social media, too many folks claim to be experts, but actually they know little to nothing about what God is saying to the church through the book of Revelation. 

This past Sunday, when I was preaching about the way believers in places like Syria and Nigeria read the book of Revelation, I didn’t know that I could have used them as recent object lessons for my sermon.  I didn’t know that in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, more than 200 Christian villagers were slaughtered by Islamic Jihadists. I’ve seen     NOTHING in the news about it. 

One of the most fascinating places I’ve ever visited is the ruins of Ephesus on the west coast of Turkey. When you enter the harbor side of the city, you wander down the old harbor road, past the marketplace where Paul sold tents and where Demetrius the silversmith sold images of Artemis. Turning right onto the marble street takes you past the great theater which featured in Acts 19, past smaller temples, the great library, the bathhouses, civic buildings, until you reach: 

When I think of summer, I think of peaches, watermelon, homemade ice cream, cookouts, vacations and (maybe because it includes all those things) camp meetings! 

I was raised in a church that  practiced — strictly practiced — full immersion. When baptized, we went completely under the water. I remember the first time I immersed someone. We were baptizing several youth who came to Christ at youth camp. I baptized a couple of middle-school boys, and that was no problem. 

For years I was hung up on baptism.

I was immersed (dunked) when I was 8 years old. It was my choice. I was absolutely sincere in my faith and in my intention to follow Jesus. But… 

During Holy Week, I went to North Carolina to do a service with Josh Bruce, a young pastor who grew up in my first congregation. While he was showing me his town, I noticed a lot of homeless people. I asked if there were any ministries to the homeless, and he said as far as he knew there were not. 

“I believe” are two of the most important words we can utter. Why? Because what we truly believe determines how we live. As a camp meeting preacher once proclaimed, “The reason some of you don’t live anything is because you don’t believe anything!” 

t’s kinda sad to see the chocolate bunnies, eggs and marshmallow peeps in the Publix discount bins. Like the folks who take their Christmas trees down on December 26, the “fun stuff” goes away a long time before the celebration’s over! 

Well, it’s Sunday morning when I’m writing this, and we’re at Tralee in the southwest of Ireland. The trip is going well, but I really miss you all this morning. 

Yes, I do mean that! 

We’ve seen some magnificent scenery (sheep, rock walls, ruined castles and abbeys,  gorse and grass)  and have eaten some really great food (that is, if you like lamb and blood pudding — which I do). 

I’ll be out of town this weekend, but if I were in town, I would be preaching from John 20:19–31, a passage about “Doubting Thomas.” Since I won’t be here, I thought I’d share a few thoughts.  

Well, I missed it this year! Since 1975, I’ve caught at least part of The Ten Commandments on television during its annual showing. Normally, it’s broadcast on Easter weekend, but this year, because Passover was last Saturday, they showed it a week early! 

And I missed it. 

Sometimes I will jokingly say that Christ Church is a church for “smart people.” 

But it’s really no joke. 

One of the first things we decided about Christ Church was that Bible study would be a major priority. After all, in Acts 2:42, we learn that the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” I’m not an apostle, but my degree is in Biblical studies, and I’ve been a student of the Bible pretty much all my life. If someone really wants to learn and study the Bible, Christ Church is the church for them! 

At my advanced age (and thank you all for your birthday wishes!), it’s possible I’ve told the story below before. If I have, please indulge me this once. At least.

Imagine this: the year is 60 AD, and the Emperor is coming to your town. What would you do? You would spruce everything up. You would clean the streets. You would give everything a fresh coat of paint. You would prepare the people to know how to properly greet the emperor. You would make sure your town was a well-ordered slice of “Rome away from Rome” that would please the Emperor. 

Have you ever visited a lighthouse? To see one rise majestically above the rugged coastline as the waves break violently against the rocks, silently beaming light out into the darkness is alone (well, that and the seafood) worth a trip to the eastern seaboard!  Catch one on a foggy night and it is magical.

I’ve given up writing the Pastor’s Note for Lent.

Just kidding! In a recent meeting, Kim, Dorene and I were talking about how all three of us came from traditions that didn’t practice Ash Wednesday and Lent. I thought their testimony about the impact Lent made on them would be encouraging for everyone to read, so I’ve asked them to write something for the newsletter. This week, Kim is writing about observing her first Lent.