A Work In Progress Today’s scripture selection: Isaiah 62-66 Key verses: Isaiah 64:8 I remember a time, from what seems a lifetime ago, when I took some art classes in college. I was fair at drawing; got by in basic graphic design; did well in Art History; and was actually good at cartooning. … Continue reading Week 12 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 12 Thursday
Treasured Words Today’s scripture selection: Job 23-24 Key verse: Job 23:12 While Job was making his defense to those who accused him unjustly he said this: “I have not departed from the commands of his lips. I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” Whose commands? … Continue reading Week 12 Thursday
Week 12 Wednesday
My Army’s Bigger Than Your Army Today’s scripture selection: Psalms 33-35 Key verse: Psalm 33:17 “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are… Continue reading Week 12 Wednesday
Week 12 Tuesday
Learning the Hard Way Today’s scripture selection: First Samuel 6-10 Key verse: First Samuel 8:7 “And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” There came a time, after many turbulent years,… Continue reading Week 12 Tuesday
Week 12 Monday
Just a Trick? Today’s scripture selection: Genesis 44-47 Key verse: Genesis 45:55 “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” It was just a trick. Joseph, long ago sold into slavery… Continue reading Week 12 Monday
Week 12 Sunday
“Tending the Garden” Today’s scripture selection: Mark 3-4 Key verse: Mark 4:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” I’m a lousy gardener. It’s not that I have anything against a good garden or that I don’t appreciate… Continue reading Week 12 Sunday
Week 11 Saturday
Boundaries Today’s scripture selection: First Corinthians 5-6 Key verses: First Corinthians 6:12 I have found that one of the most helpful concepts to be discussed in Christian counseling circles is that of “boundaries”. If you want to know more about it in detail I highly recommend the book of that title, written by Drs. Cloud… Continue reading Week 11 Saturday
Week 11 Friday
Freedom Today’s scripture selection: Isaiah 56-61 Key verses: Isaiah 61:1-4 Hundreds of years before Jesus was born – the prophet Isaiah spoke of him. And when Jesus began his public ministry, he quoted from the ancient scriptures in our passage today. They speak of good news for the oppressed; healing for the… Continue reading Week 11 Friday
Week 11 Thursday
It’s Not Fair Today’s scripture selection: Job 21-22 Key verses: Job 21:7 “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” “It’s not fair” – three words that you’ve probably said now and then. I know I have. It is difficult, especially when you are, as far… Continue reading Week 11 Thursday
Week 11 Wednesday
Life in Abundance Today’s scripture selection: Psalms 30-32 Key verse: Psalm 31:19 “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” Plentiful – copious – rich – profuse – these… Continue reading Week 11 Wednesday