I spent July 4th – at least part of it – like many of us do. Listening to some good music, watching (or at least hearing) some fireworks, eating a really good hamburger. I also spent part of the day reflecting on what we had talked about at church the previous Sunday. How we are… Continue reading A Nation Blessed
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 Story
The words are familiar and important. Beginning Faith Covenant Journey Belief Hope Blessing Since we began our walk through the book of Genesis these and other such words keep popping up – on the page and in our thoughts and imagination. So do certain characters. Adam Even Cain Abel Noah Abraham Sarah Hagar Ishmael Isaac… Continue reading The Story
A Father’s Love
Last week my congregation celebrated Father’s Day in the usual way. It gave us an opportunity to say “Well done, good and faithful servant” to some very good men. It led us to pray for them, and for all Dads, who meet some very tough challenges as parents. It provided the setting for us to… Continue reading A Father’s Love
True Love
Go to any bookstore or card shop and you will find that lots of people have lots of ideas about “true” love. You can find sweet poems, snarky sentiments, dark and moody reflections, and in-your-face one liners. You can find those who will tell you love is a many splendored thing and those who insist… Continue reading True Love
Children of Promise, Children of Joy
Have you ever heard (or used) the expression “You’re treating me like a poor stepchild”? Sometimes it is said in jest, but there is actually a lot of pain associated with it. It means that somehow, for some unmerited reason, you are being treated as less than, unworthy, second rate – whatever words you might… Continue reading Children of Promise, Children of Joy
A Great and Powerful Nation
What makes a nation powerful? Is it the size of it’s budget? Is it the size of it’s arsenal? Is it the “footprint” it makes in the world – carbon – or otherwise? Is it the skill of it’s diplomats? Is it the shrewd negotiating power of it’s leaders? Is it something else? What makes… Continue reading A Great and Powerful Nation
Get Thee Out
There could be no mistaking. It wasn’t a suggestion, mere food for thought. It was a command – clear – black and white – and very emphatic – “Get Thee Out!” At least that’s how I hear God’s call to Abram to leave his country, his extended family, his culture, his way of life. At… Continue reading Get Thee Out
Spiritual Roots
When you are gone, as we all will be one day, what will your legacy be? I am not talking about how much money or property you will leave behind. I’m not talking about how many children you will have borne. Nor am I talking about how much – and what kind of – mark… Continue reading Spiritual Roots
The Story
Not long ago one of the beloved members of my congregation came to me with a request. In his nineties, he doesn’t quite remember things like he used to remember them. (Neither do I, and I don’t have age to blame.) So, I wasn’t surprised by his request. He wanted another copy of a great… Continue reading The Story
At Right Hands
By Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell Scripture Readings: Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 48:13; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 18:35 “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13, NIV, Life Application Bible) We have beautiful stained glass windows at Elpis Christian… Continue reading At Right Hands
IGW3 - In God's Word, In God's Will, In God's Work 