Suddenly Silenced Today’s scripture selection: Ezekiel 25-30 Key verse: Ezekiel 27:31-32 It must have been something to see: Tyre – this powerful city, on the edge of the sea, sending its merchandise out to distant lands, satisfying many nations with its great wealth and exotic wares. And then, judgment came. “Your wealth, merchandise and wares,… Continue reading Week 28 Friday
Author: Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Week 28 Thursday
Straight Lines Today’s scripture selection: Proverbs 10 Key verse: Proverbs 10:9 “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” When you think of integrity – who is it that comes to mind? Christ? Gandhi? Lincoln? Mother Teresa? Your own mother or father? Your spouse? Your boss? Yourself? I… Continue reading Week 28 Thursday
Week 28 Wednesday
Not An Option Today’s scripture selection: Psalms 81-83 Key verses: Psalm 82:3-4 They are strong words; and a clear call to action: Defend Uphold Rescue Deliver Words like this don’t leave much room for debate. And who are we, as members of the kingdom of God, supposed to defend, uphold, rescue and deliver? Again –… Continue reading Week 28 Wednesday
Week 28 Tuesday
Even If Today’s scripture selection: Second Kings 6-10 Key verses: Second Kings 7:1-2 Some people are just hard to sell. They are skeptics with a capital S. Elisha had proven himself time and again. As the prophet Elijah’s successor he was a great success. He had a ministry that would last over… Continue reading Week 28 Tuesday
Week 28 Monday
A Clean Slate Today’s scripture selection: Leviticus 13-15 Key verses: Leviticus 14:19 “Then the priest is to sacrifice the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from their uncleanness.” It’s all about getting “clean.” Chapter after chapter of very specific laws and regulation, addressing every kind of ceremonial uncleanness – that’s… Continue reading Week 28 Monday
Week 28 Sunday
Little of Stature Today’s scripture selection: Luke 19-20 Key Verses: Luke 19:3 I’ve always like the little story about Zacchaeus – no pun intended. I like the fact that a hated outcast is one with whom Jesus dines. I like the fact that someone like that is given a fresh start in life. … Continue reading Week 28 Sunday
Week 27
Pressing On Today’s scripture selection: Philippians 3-4 Key verse: Philippians 3:14 Over the years I have heard the apostle Paul described in many ways: faithful; dedicated; eloquent. I’ve also heard him described in less than glowing ways: harsh; un-yielding; judgmental. But one word that comes to mind for me when I read this… Continue reading Week 27
Week 27 Friday
Holy Sabbath Today’s scripture selection: Ezekiel 19-24 Key verse: Ezekiel 20:20 “Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.” Mention God’s laws; God’s principles and it’s not long before someone is sure to mention “Well, you need to keep… Continue reading Week 27 Friday
Week 27 Thursday
An Unruly Woman Today’s scripture selection: Proverbs 8-9 Key verses: Proverbs 9:13-18 I know. It’s not exactly “politically correct” to talk about “unruly” women. But blame it on Proverbs – not me. Actually, it’s not about women – or men – for that matter. It’s about “folly.” Now folly isn’t exactly a… Continue reading Week 27 Thursday
Week 27 Wednesday
Passing the Word Along Today’s scripture selection: Psalms 78-80 Key verse: Psalm 78:4 Have you ever had a bit of good news that was so good you just had to pass it on? I know I have felt that way about wedding plans; birth announcements; employment changes; things large and small – having… Continue reading Week 27 Wednesday