Sunset on Summer July 5, 2008
Here is the title story from my book Sunset on Summer. Download and enjoy. Let me know what you think.
Sunset on Summer
Thanks to Daniel for producing the podcast.
Lois Gail June 26, 2008
I do have a wife. This is a picture of her and our youngest daughter.
An Important Feature in Church Design March 17, 2008
photo by Lois Pierpont
I have often thought of things I like in a church building. I love a soaring white steeple glistening against the blue sky or lighted jutting up into the night. It would, of course, have a large pulpit in the very center, symbolic of the priority of the ministry of the Word. Maybe it would have the white colonial furniture, too.
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The Father’s Voice March 8, 2008
Sometimes you can be enjoying a beautiful, mundane afternoon and be plunged into a heart-rending crisis within a few seconds. That happened to us one quiet spring afternoon a few years ago. I was walking out across the yard enjoying the laughter and play-sounds of the children coming from the other side of the barn.
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Let’s Clean the Garage October 19, 2007
I’m not all that sharp but I have learned a few things from being a father of eight and husband of over twenty-five years. Left to themselves young boys usually do not do a very good job on cleaning the garage. They either fight with each other or they just frog around and do a halfway job.
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Wanna’ Start Something? October 23, 2006
Saturday evening I was out redeeming my Sweetest Day. I was preoccupied in my thoughts weighing weather I should buy candy, flowers, or a cookbook for my Sweetest. I should have been paying more attention to my driving. I paused at a corner in a shopping center parking lot and without realizing it I rolled through a four-way stop. I pulled away from the stop sign before the fellow who had the right-of-way. He laid on his horn and his car lunged forward as if he was going to slam into me broadside.
I thought; “Wow, if I had a Beemer that nice I don’t think I would play bumper cars with it.” I glanced over just in time to see his distorted, angry, homicidal face. I looked at him as if to say, “oops–sorry,” but I don’t think I was able to communicate my contrition.
Such a fuss, I thought, about being about three seconds later wherever he was going. I’m just a village parson at heart. I’m used to people being a little nicer. I love the western suburbs of Chicago, but I’m having a little trouble adjusting. You should see what happens if you slow down to enjoy an autumn drive through the neighborhood. People here are all in a big hurry and they are often just plain not nice.
I am thinking of starting a “be nice” campaign. We could have hats and tee shirts that say “BE NICE.” We could have “be nice” meetings, and maybe even write some “be nice” songs. We could have a membership of nice people. Maybe we could get a “NICE” movement started.
There are exceptions, like our neighbor, Trudy, who invited us to her fall gathering Saturday and made sure we all had a piece of her special home-made bread and cocoa. There aren’t enough exceptions though. I think we should go on a mission to make more. I guess, when you get right down to it that should be one of the primary effects of getting the gospel to people.
If your sins are forgiven, you know you are on your way to heaven, and you have the Holy Spirit living in you, you would have good reason to be nice.
I’m thinking of a thick coffee mug with bold letters; BE NICE. Underneath in smaller letters; “You don’t look so scary that way.”
Ken Pierpont
Brook Place
Hinsdale, IL
October 23, 2006
Recognition April 17, 2006
Recognition
Today is the Boston Marathon. Everyone who finishes will receive recognition for life as a finisher of the prestigious race.
Have you ever met anyone who likes to be known as someone who does not want recognition? I don’t think I have ever met anyone who really doesn’t want to receive recognition. Who doesn’t love to be recognized for an achievement? Who doesn’t want to be loved, accepted, and noticed?
My Bank January 2, 2006
I used to own a bank, but I lost it. Actually, it was taken away from me. My Dad took it. My aunt gave it to me. It was a Christmas present. She made it herself. It was a green Cocker Spaniel bank. It was sort of a kosher-version of the classical piggy-bank. It was ceramic. It sat right on my dresser and I kept my allowance in it. Every week I put a couple nickels in it. I made a dime shoveling the drive. I got a little allowance almost every week. It had a hole in the bottom and my dad covered it with cardboard so the money wouldn’t fall out. Eventually it started getting heavy. I imagined all the things that I could do with all that money.
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My Little Brother December 28, 2005
I stumbled across this little piece on my hard-drive today looking for something else. It interested me. Maybe it will interest you, too. About a year ago I preached in the church where my little brother is the pastor. Here is how I introduced the message:
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Good Things? December 5, 2005
When I got out of bed this morning I sensed the Lord put a question in my heart. “Is your heart a treasure of good things?” Jesus said; “How can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure in his heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things…” (Matthew 12:34-35)
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Ken's new book - Sunset On Summer, now available for order, $13.95 each.