Today’s Scripture Selection: Leviticus 23:1 (As we resume our chronological walk through the scriptures, we are jumping ahead to Leviticus, chapter 23. Here, after we have been presented with the various rules and regulations regarding worship, we are reminded that at their core, they remind the people of one critical thing: the holiness of God… Continue reading Holy, Holy, Holy
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
Glory and Peace
Today’s Scripture Selection: Luke 2:12-13 “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on… Continue reading Glory and Peace
The News
The News Today’s Scripture Selection: Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Every day, often several times a day, on our TV, our radio, our smartphone, our iPad we get the “news”. Sometimes it’s encouraging, often it is not. Sometimes it’s… Continue reading The News
Fear Not
Fear Not Today’s Scripture Selection: Luke 2:8-10 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.… Continue reading Fear Not
No Room
No Room Today’s Scripture Selection: Luke 2:4-7 “Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a… Continue reading No Room
The Decree
The Decree Today’s Scripture Selection: Luke 2:1 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” They lived in a world in which they were constantly assailed by the “powers that be.” When Rome spoke, people listened. Either that or… Continue reading The Decree
Tender Mercy
Tender Mercy Today’s Scripture Selection: Luke 1:78 “…because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven…” I love the fact that when Zechariah was inspired to speak of what his son would be able to do with his life, he used some wonderful words to… Continue reading Tender Mercy
Sharing the Joy
Sharing the Joy Today’s Scripture Selection: Luke 1:58 “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.” Mary wasn’t the only one who was expecting. Elizabeth and her husband were… Continue reading Sharing the Joy
The Holy One
The Holy One Today’s Scripture Selection: Luke 1:35 (With Christmas just a week away, I want to briefly shift our journey through the scriptures to the Gospel of Luke. Suddenly we are not with the Hebrews wandering in the desert with Moses, but with a young virgin named Mary who is on her own spiritual… Continue reading The Holy One
Journeying On
Journeying On Today’s Scripture Selection: Exodus 40:38 “So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.” They began their journey as slaves; they journeyed on as a free people, guided by their God. … Continue reading Journeying On