May 1985, I was where five of our young people here at Central are in their lives. Like Landon, Gretchen, Abby, Marlee, and Chase, I walked across a stage and received that piece of paper I spent my life working for. I had plans, I had dreams, and some of them came about. I would finish … Continue reading That was Then, What About the Future?

I am thinking about a friend who passed away this weekend. Yesterday morning at about 3:00.  I have the privilege of speaking at his memorial this week and as I prepare my words for Mike's family, I recalled this poem by Nancy Byrd Turner: Death is a Door Death is only an old door Set … Continue reading Death is a Door

The leaflet in 1924 that served as an introduction to this style of modern art began with these words, "We have the distinguished honor of introducing to New England the founder and supreme master of the DISUMBRATIONIST SCHOOL OF PAINTING, Pavel Jerdanowitch." His paintings like the one shown above were a new modern style of … Continue reading Disumbrationism

I had just pulled off of I-10 in Baldwin County, Alabama and I turned north onto AL 59. I had traveled about 1/2 mile when I realized I was still going interstate speeds. Just as I lifted my foot off of the accelerator to allow friction to slow me down, an Alabama State Trooper topped … Continue reading Why Did He Stop Me?

If you are a minister who has served in ministry for any length of time, you have faced hurt. You were there when the two teenage boys whose father was in a coma from an industrial accident lost their mother in a wreck. You hurt with them and for them. You walked with the entire congregation … Continue reading When the Preacher is Hurting

This question - THE question - was on Facebook at 6:30 this morning.  A question I struggle with. A question I have some thoughts about.  A question I have tried to answer before. The question is: "Why are people leaving churches and what can we do about it?" From my reading, from conversations, from my … Continue reading Why? What Can We Do?

Everything Fails © B Scott McCown, May 5, 2017 Words fail me. My words are too weak, To describe how I love You, And how Your presence I seek. ******************** No image does justice; No painting will suffice, To capture Your glory Any attempt is imprecise. ******************** Your glory is too mighty. Your radiance is too … Continue reading Everything Fails

Today is the National Day of Prayer in the United States.  I beg you to take time to pray during the day today. In fact, take that time right now. I'll give you a moment of silence . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dear God and Father, This … Continue reading A Prayer

Just a quick few thought for today about today and what you can do today. Today, tell your wife or husband you love them. Today, tell your children you appreciate them. Today, tell your parents thanks. Today, go out of your way to be nice to someone. Today, smile at a stranger and tell them, … Continue reading What You Can Do Today

In a day when people switch everything as quickly as they change socks; When we live in a time when nothing seems to last and people apparently cannot or do not commit to much; I watched a special about an individual that understood commitment. Just this morning on the way to the study, the discussion … Continue reading That’s Commitment