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

The Cornerstone – Mark 12:1-12

The Parable of the Tenants 12 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants… Continue reading The Cornerstone – Mark 12:1-12

Moving Mountains – Mark 11:23-24

23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be… Continue reading Moving Mountains – Mark 11:23-24

On the Way – Mark 9:1-11

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King 11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethanyat the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring… Continue reading On the Way – Mark 9:1-11

Rabbi, I Want to See – Mark 10:46-52

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him… Continue reading Rabbi, I Want to See – Mark 10:46-52

Nothing is Impossible – Mark 10:1-30

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Nothing is impossible. Right. That sounds like some “pie in the sky,” “power of positive thinking” bumper sticker sentiment, right? Plenty of things are impossible – or at least – really difficult. Yet, Jesus said… Continue reading Nothing is Impossible – Mark 10:1-30

All to the glory of God – Mark 9:30-37

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”32 But they did not understand what he meant and… Continue reading All to the glory of God – Mark 9:30-37

On the Mountaintop – Mark 9:2-8

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to… Continue reading On the Mountaintop – Mark 9:2-8

IGW3 – Lord, Open Our Ears – Mark 7:14-37

Sometimes, it’s hard to listen. There is so much noise, all the time. But if we slow down, open our hearts, pray for guidance in the simplest of ways: something like “Lord, open my ears to what you want me to hear,” we can find amazing clarity. It may be that your family member needs… Continue reading IGW3 – Lord, Open Our Ears – Mark 7:14-37

That Which Defiles – Mark 7:1-13

7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When… Continue reading That Which Defiles – Mark 7:1-13

Not a Ghost – Mark 6:33-56

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” It is one of the strangest stories in the New Testament. Jesus, shrouded in darkness, comes to his disciples – walking on the water, no less. Not surprisingly, it terrified them. I am sure I would have had a similar… Continue reading Not a Ghost – Mark 6:33-56