Author Archives: Dr. Philip W. Turner

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been asked to do many things to help slow the spread of this very contagious virus. The two most important things suggested are that we wear a mask and practice social distancing. Indeed, these two practices have changed our society as well as our interactions with one another. TheContinue reading “Contagious”

Waiting on God can be difficult, especially when you are unsure what God is up to in our lives. God can be hard to figure out. The scriptures teach us that God’s ways are not our ways. The mind of God is beyond our grasp and understanding. Hence, at times, our relationship with God canContinue reading “In Good Hands”

Every day one of the first questions that most people must answer is what am I going to wear today? A lot will depend on the season of the year, the weather, and what you will be doing during the day. Some people will give much thought and consideration into what they will choose toContinue reading “Clothed in Grace”

In listening to another person, most people talk, like when that person gets straight to the point. That is, beating around the bush or talking too much can leave you weary in your listening. We want the person to be clear and direct, so there is no misunderstanding. Let your words speak for themselves. JesusContinue reading “Clearly Said”

Over the years as a pastor I have had the sacred opportunity to be with individuals when they took their last breath. In most cases, we know that death is near and so I sit with family as they watch their love one journey through the final moments of life. As we join them inContinue reading “Your Last Breath”

Regardless of which candidate wins the next presidential election, we as a nation have already lost. We lost some time ago. Regardless of who is the next president, our country will remain divided. There have always been differences, but now the division has turned ugly. We’ve stopped seeing one another as fellow citizens and haveContinue reading “Choose the Better Way”

In a nation like the United States of America, we like to stress our freedoms, and we don’t like someone trying to suppress them.  How often have we heard the remark, “this is a free country, and I can do what I want.”  We don’t like the idea of someone dictating what we can andContinue reading “Free To Serve”

The normal heart is about the size of a clenched fist and weighs 300 to 350 grams, less than 1 pound.  When you consider your overall weight, it is small in size.  Yet, when it comes to importance, the human heart is essential.  The human heart begins to beat in the fetus at 3 toContinue reading “Heavy Hearts”

It is an uncomfortable feeling.  You are walking when you realize that you have something in the shoe you are wearing.  In many cases, it may be a small rock or pebble that has found its way into your shoe.  And while it may not be huge, it can cause you discomfort and affect yourContinue reading “A Pebble in Your Shoe”

Most often, when we hear the phrase “under the influence,” we think of individuals whose behavior has been influenced by alcohol or drugs.  We also tend to think of individuals under the influence of such substances while behind an automobile’s wheel.  We have read plenty of tragic stories where automobile accidents and death have resultedContinue reading “Under the Influence”

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, curbside service at restaurants has become popular.  You place your order on your phone or online, pull into specially mark parking, and text the restaurant to let them know you are there.  In some cases, you tell them the kind of car you are driving and its color as several peopleContinue reading “How Will We Know It’s You?”

In a campaign season for political office, we become quite accustomed to candidates making speeches.  Sometimes they are called a stump speech.  A political stump speech is a standard speech used by a politician running for office.  In such a speech, the candidate usually reiterates their talking points, several things they want to accomplish orContinue reading “Stump Speech”

We hear a lot about border crossings today.  A border checkpoint is a place, generally between two countries, where travelers or goods are inspected. Authorization often is required to enter a country through its borders. Access-controlled borders often have a limited number of checkpoints where one can cross without legal sanctions.  In the United States,Continue reading “Border Crossings”

For anyone who has ever driven a car, you know there are times when you have to hit the brakes.  Now it is impossible to drive a vehicle and not have to use the braking system.  With starts and stops, you have to gently press the brakes to slow your car down and bring itContinue reading “Hitting the Brakes”

I think most people are familiar with watermarks.  Originally a watermark is a more or less transparent image or text applied to a piece of paper, another image to either protect the original image or make it harder to copy the item, e.g., money stamp watermarks.  If you hold the paper in the right light,Continue reading “Watermarks”

What are you thinking about?  We’ve asked that question of others, and others have directed that question toward us.  A lot of times, you can tell when someone is thinking about something.  They are there, but there is a disconnect with the environment around them.  They are lost in their thoughts.  The dictionary defines lostContinue reading “Lost in our Thoughts”

It says it right there in the Declaration of Independence: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  These are three examples given of unalienable rights granted to all humans by their creator.  According to the Declaration of Independence,” we have a right to these.  I’m not sure why these three were identified as central, asContinue reading “The Pursuit of Happiness, When We Were Made for Joy”

It happens.  Something happens that upsets us.  We get angry.  We get frustrated.  Even our physical demeanor changes as we become red face.  We get “bent out of shape”.  The phrase means to take offense; to become angry, agitated, or upset.  Something has set us off so much that we are all twisted up insideContinue reading “Bent Out of Shape”

For anyone who has ever worked in a restaurant as the wait staff or as a busboy or busgirl, there are times when you go to the table after the diners have left to find a mess.  Now there will always be dirty dishes and the like, but sometimes the table is a disaster.  RemnantsContinue reading “The Mess We Leave Behind: Politics and Conversations”

Did you ever ask a question of another, but did not get the answer you wanted to hear?  You ask the question hoping that the individual will affirm what you have already decided the answer to be.  In Matthew’s Gospel, the apostle Peter comes to Jesus asking a question about forgiveness.  In Matthew 18:21 weContinue reading “Sloppy Saints”