Category Archives: Uncategorized

Remembering Martin

Posted on January 17, 2013 by chappelltemple

His family called him “M.L.” when he was growing up, his wife called him “Martin” and he called himself am “ambivert,” that is a combination between an extrovert and an introvert. But what we should actually call him was simply … Continue reading →

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Welcoming Jedidiah

Posted on January 7, 2013 by chappelltemple

Dear Jed, Welcome to our world! We were beginning to think you would never get here, but like those fabled Wise Men of old, you showed up at last for the celebration of Epiphany yesterday on January 6. And so, … Continue reading →

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Evermore and Evermore.

Posted on December 30, 2012 by chappelltemple

Tabula Rosa is how the ancients phrased it. For as we stand on the doorstep of yet another year, a “blank slate” is truly what God has given to each of us. In fact, as of this writing, I am … Continue reading →

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Mincemeat Methodists

Posted on December 21, 2012 by chappelltemple

The brass band was nice and the singing was good. Similarly, the fir tree outside the front door sparkled with lights and candles illuminated each window, their shadows dancing over the crowd gathered outside. But I have to confess that … Continue reading →

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Crossing the Line in Connecticut

Posted on December 14, 2012 by chappelltemple

The psychologist on one of the cable networks said it best perhaps: “we have now crossed a red line” in terms of evil. For as shocking as the senseless shootings in colleges and high schools and even shopping malls have … Continue reading →

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Ode to Fruitcake

Posted on December 13, 2012 by chappelltemple

(The following was written in 1986 while serving as the pastor of Lindale United Methodist Church. Since that time, numerous individuals in a variety of congregations have kindly tried to convince me that I simply have not ever had a … Continue reading →

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The Once and Future Kings

Posted on December 6, 2012 by chappelltemple

If he were living today I have a feeling he might have been the president of Syria, or at the very least, the often heavy-handed commissioner of the NBA.  For like Bashar Assad, who has shown no hesitation to kill … Continue reading →

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The Art of Waiting

Posted on November 28, 2012 by chappelltemple

I have to admit that I’m not very good at it.   For when it comes to waiting, to paraphrase the Bard, I may be “as poor as Job, my Lord, but I’m not so patient.”  In fact, my attitude is … Continue reading →

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In the Twinkie of an Eye

Posted on November 17, 2012 by chappelltemple

I have to admit that it caught me by surprise.  So as soon as I heard the stunning announcement that the bakery that has made Hostess Twinkies for the past eighty-two years has crumbled, I knew I had to taste … Continue reading →

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Sailing into History

Posted on November 14, 2012 by chappelltemple

(The following thoughts were shared at the annual Church Conference of Lakewood United Methodist Church in Houston held on November 13, 2012.) The Thanksgiving holidays always make me think about them.  For though everyone knows the story of those first … Continue reading →

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