Pillar Today’s Scripture Selection: First Timothy 3:15 “…if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” When the apostle Paul wrote to a young minister named Timothy he sent some very important instructions. … Continue reading Pillar
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
Persuaded
Persuaded Today’s Scripture Selection: Romans 4:21 “…being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” What persuades you? What arguments or statements do you find persuading? What is it upon which you are so fully persuaded that you are willing to stake your own welfare and that of your family’s too?… Continue reading Persuaded
Persevere
Persevere Today’s Scripture Selection: Hebrews 10:36 “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Persevere – it’s not a word we hear every day. But think about what it means (thanks to a little help from my Thesaurus): To Continue Keep at… Continue reading Persevere
Night
Night Today’s Scripture Selection: First Thessalonians 5:5b “We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” I’ve always been struck by the metaphor of light and darkness when it comes to spiritual matters. I think most of us can identify with the contrasting images and ideas there: The light representing truth, hope, dawning,… Continue reading Night
New
New Today’s Scripture Selection: Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. May will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” Sometimes life can seem like one long rut. At least that’s what I have heard others say. Thankfully, I can’t really say… Continue reading New
Miraculous
Miraculous Today’s Scripture Selection: Psalm 77:14 “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” I know some folks who have been become rather jaded; sort of cynical. It’s sad to see it. What has made them this way? When, at what exact point – or after what series of… Continue reading Miraculous
Mercy
Mercy Today’s Scripture Selection: Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” I’ve always loved this Scripture passage from the prophet Micah. It’s one of those that I turn to… Continue reading Mercy
Meditate
Meditate Today’s Scripture Selection: Psalm 119:15 “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.” Our minds, and hearts, and be filled with lots of things. There is a constant flow of “input” – to use a rather technical word. Unfortunately, as the old saying goes, usually applied to computers, “garbage in; garbage out.” So… Continue reading Meditate
Maturity
Maturity Today’s Scripture Selection: Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity….” Do you remember much about elementary school? I can remember some things: The names of some favorite teachers The big kid who bullied me on the school bus The milk in little glass jars (I… Continue reading Maturity
Led
Led Today’s Scripture Selection: Romans 8:14 “…those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God.” What leads you in life? Is it Intellect Emotions Current events Current trends Fashion Tradition Family Clan Political affiliation Religious belief Or any of the other thousand influences active in the world? Or is it the Spirit of… Continue reading Led