By Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell If God is I AM and Jesus is his Son and the very Word of God, we should be careful when we say, “I am…,” because the next word we use matters! Is it coincidence that the verb “to be” is conjugated in the first person singular as “I am” or… Continue reading I AM and I am
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
Did You Read Your Valentines?
By Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell Did you read your valentines? I hope so, but it’s not too late if you missed them. Here are a few I received that I’ll share with you, because these were sent to you, too! –Valentine, Our love grows the more we share it. Please share my love with others. I… Continue reading Did You Read Your Valentines?
A New Year’s Snow
Just a week into the new year, I find myself at the keyboard of my computer, looking out my window now and then, at the fresh snow fall. In some ways, it’s a hassle. No church services tomorrow, a possible glitch trying to get to the local funeral home to conduct a memorial service, a… Continue reading A New Year’s Snow
Silent Night, Holy Night
Tonight, it will be as it is every year. The sanctuary lights will be lowered to a soft glow, the candles will be lit, the crowd will hush as they hear the lovely music begin. We will gather – those of us who come to church every time the doors open – those who only… Continue reading Silent Night, Holy Night
It’s Time
I know, I know…it seems I say it every year…but it’s true. I can hardly believe that Christmas is almost here. Once again, I turn on the car radio and hear “Jingle Bell Rock.” Once again, I see the traffic backing up into the highway, snaking it’s way into the mall parking lot. Once again,… Continue reading It’s Time
The Stones Will Cry Out
Each year at this time, Christians are reminded of something very important. Even if our praises fade away – Creation itself will keep the song of praise going. Jesus reminded us of this when, during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem two thousand years ago, he told his critics that even if they were silenced the… Continue reading The Stones Will Cry Out
vive la dif·fé·rence
So what’s wrong with being a little different – that is different from those around you – including (or even especially) those whom you love? That’s the question I pose for us today, one day after Valentine’s Day. I am struck by how often someone says to me, while attempting to explain the deep conflict… Continue reading vive la dif·fé·rence
Unplugged…sort of.
I’ve decided to unplug from all my various computerized devices…sort of. I came to this decision shortly after losing, and very probably riding over, my aging iPhone in the driveway of my home, while desperately attempting to free our van from a whole bunch of snow. I’m pretty sure that, having temporarily put my phone in… Continue reading Unplugged…sort of.
Waiting
At the time of this posting I am sitting comfortably inside a warm house, sipping a cup of rich black coffee, waiting for the snow storm to pass – an event which someone at USA Today has called an “epic blizzard.” Well, I don’t know about that, seems like overkill to me. Then again, should the power… Continue reading Waiting
First Things
My friends in the recovery community like to say it often: “First things first.” It’s an old AA slogan, one that recovering alcoholics and addicts fall back on when they are feeling the need to re-group and re-think what they need to do, or not do, as the case may be. To hear some of… Continue reading First Things