Recently, a pastoral colleague and I were talking about many different topics. It was one of those invigorating, wide-ranging great conversations that happen rarely. As we visited a comment was made that stuck with me. It went along the lines of, “these days, it seems that everything is big — nothing is small or inconsequential…
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As we head into the last two months of 2021 (let that sink in, Twenty Twenty-One!), I am reminded again of the need to keep the familiar, fresh! Soon, we’ll be working our way through Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Plans likely are well underway in your ministry and church situation to be ready for these holidays.…
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Gracias Grazie Merci Thank you! However you want to say it, “thank you,” when truly meant, are some of the most beautiful words in the English language. Other languages say it differently, yet just about every language and people group have some form, manner or word(s) that express gratitude and thanks. October is Pastor Appreciation Month!…
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I used to love to watch sports on tv. It was a great way to shift my brain into neutral, get away from the pressures of the day and relax. However, over the last few years, agendas off the field replaced action on the field and it kind of sapped my desire to watch anymore.…
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The Dog Days of Summer have been upon us. Many areas of our district have been suffering with drought-like conditions. I hear reports of cities (including Billings) putting restrictions on water usage so as to conserve water and/or save overextending equipment needed to replenish fresh water. Recently, I took this picture while traveling to a…
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Recently, Carl Nassib, a defensive end for the NFL Las Vegas Raiders “came out” as the first openly homosexual player in the league. This column is not about debating that issue, Scripture speaks clearly regarding it. What caught my attention was the statement put out by the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, following Nassib’s announcement. Goodell’s…
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June 13, 2021 marks the conclusion of Rev. Jim & Ronda Stumbo’s ministry at Helena (MT) Alliance Church. Jim and Ronda have served full-time in the RMD for nearly 47 years – in two churches : Greybull, WY and Helena, MT. Jim and Ronda are “finishing well” – a term heard often these days, but not often lived out. I…
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Over the course of a lifetime, the one word question, “Why?” gets asked many, many, many times. Often times it is in the context of heartache, pain, sorrow or some deep troubling situation. On a few occasions it might be said proactively, in the context of an entity figuring out, for instance, “Why do we…
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This week, Lori and I got back into the swing of things in the Rocky Mountain District. We are thankful for a few months of sabbatical where we enjoyed a wonderful time away with the Lord, our family and our beautiful country. We had the privilege at Christmas to see most of our kids and grandchildren. We…
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Recently I was re-reading Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. Since high school days I have always enjoyed this three page powerhouse of a letter. The Spirit of God never fails to use some part of this letter to challenge, encourage, convict or motivate my soul when I read it. God’s Word truly is…
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