It is an oft-repeated scene in my ministry. I’m standing next to the bed of a person who is breathing their last here on Earth. I pull out my Bible and begin reading.

Why? It’s an age-old question. One we ask our parents, our friends, even Google. Thank God, He has answers we can trust.

There is an old adage that goes something like this, “You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.” And this adage is absolutely true. As human beings, we have become quite adept at fooling others. We have learned to put on a facade that i…

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles for a year.

In 1869, only four years after the end of the American Civil War, a war waged in large part because of controversies surrounding the slavery of black people, a little church in Cuero began to organize.

It was supposed to be another fifth Sunday worship service between the Rev. Dr. Paul Kirchner’s three country parishes. The three churches – Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church in Coletoville, St. Luke’s in Schroeder and Zion Lutheran in Arneckeville – which Kirchner helped join togeth…

The second month as the pastor of Faith Family, I did something really brave. So brave, in fact, that I scared myself! We had gone the first six weeks without anybody giving their life to Christ in our services, and I knew something needed to change. So I prayed and fasted.

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles for a year.

I still remember the first time my parents took me to the laser show at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. It was the Fourth of July; I was 5 or 6 years old; and there were hundreds upon hundreds of families sitting on picnic blankets laughing and toasting, munching and celebrating as children …

As I have waded into the waters of youth soccer coaching, among of the biggest and most frustrating challenges for me are the practices. I actually love working with the kids, but scheduling practices is difficult. Trying to find an open field and work around everybody’s schedules is almost …

Re-reading the Psalms is always a comforting, hopeful and exciting exercise. I am currently preaching through the Psalter in our church. A few weeks back now, I ran across this passage again: “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”(Ps. 12…

I heard a story about a company owner and one of his employees, John. One day, John was out working, when the owner went to check on his crew. He overheard John muttering, “Oh, Adam. Oh, Adam,” as he swung his axe.

Summer is here. Last week we hit triple digits for the first time this summer. I’m sure it won’t be the last.

This week has been more than tiring.

The Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus John W. Yanta was recently presented the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland by Polish President Andrzej Duda and First Lady AgataKornhauser-Duda.

I know my ladies will understand and appreciate this profoundly – sorry, guys – but have you ever brought one of your favorite old purses back into rotation and discovered a few long-lost pearls at the bottom?

Mr. Panza is 97 years old. He lives in the nursing home down the road from my house. During the last year, he and I have become good friends. A few weeks ago, he told me his story.

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles for a year.

When I was 13 years old, I was leaving our small-town carnival with my sister when about 50 Hell’s Angels passed by us on their motorcycles. As they did, they revved their engines and whistled at her.

I am not always good at taking time off, but I know it’s an important part of self-care. It’s important for everyone.

The other day, my wife and I were shopping when right in front of me, this store clerk asked for all of her information! Her number, email address, etc. I thought, “Man, if I was 25 years old, I’d hit you right now!” Soon, I noticed that my age was showing and the guy was just doing his job!

This week is Father’s Day. On Sunday, my kids and wife will shower me with gifts and hugs. They will tell me they love me and how much they appreciate me. They will tell me what a great dad I am.

A story was told of a rich man who was on his way to the bank one day when he ran across a beggar. He asked the beggar how he had wound up on the streets. The beggar explained that he had graduated college, but he had made some mistakes and ruined his life, and now he had nothing. The rich m…

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles for a year.

In preparation for my mother’s big Disney World 70th birthday, I prepared a few games that should be a hit at the party Friday night.

He was born James “Jim” Arthur Cozby Jr. and raised a Presbyterian, though his life and name would change decades later.

Editor’s note: This sermon originally ran on June 20, 1998.

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles for a year.

As my mother’s 70th birthday approaches, my sister and I are in full party-planning mode for a caravan trip to Florida.

I didn’t have perfect parents by any means, but I owe much of who I am to them. They taught me about strong morals and right priorities.

I see commercials for them every so often on TV. “The Hidden Codes of the Old Testament.” “The Secret Message of Revelation.” “Decoding the Bible.”

Strongholds are literally just that – things that have a strong hold over our lives. Things we wish we could get over, but many times we struggle to, and as a result enter into a state of feeling oppressed, feeling lost.

The other day, I watched a video of a small child preparing to lose one of his baby teeth.

Memorial Day is upon us. The beginning of summer is here. School is out. Life is good! This is the time of of the year that kids long for. The time of the year that families plan for. The time of the year when the pace and the pressure of our lives changes. Simply, put. It’s summertime. The …

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles for a year.

The American Stress Institute reports that 77% of people regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress. Thirty-three percent of people feel they are living with extreme stress, and 48% feel their stress has increased during the past five years.

Eight years have passed since Susannah Porr organized the first Interfaith Journey event in Victoria.

I had a court date this week, one I couldn’t wait to keep.

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles for a year.