Articles by Stan Wilson

Blogging Toward Sunday

Who are you talking about, Jesus?

Luke 18:9-14

Oct 22, 2007 by Stan Wilson

About whom exactly is Jesus talking here? That’s a tricky question. Luke tells us that he speaks against “some” who trust in themselves because they are righteous. But we want names.

Blogging Toward Sunday

Blogging toward Sunday

Oct 15, 2007 by Stan Wilson

Last year I attended a prayer vigil in downtown Jackson on the night of a scheduled execution. A hard rain was falling. I recognized a couple of people as fellow clergy and a couple of others as consistent advocates for justice in our small state. It was just a small crowd composed of those who have been praying and working against capital punishment for years.

Blogging Toward Sunday

You better not shop around

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

Oct 07, 2007 by Stan Wilson

Members of our church were studying the Hebrew word shalom one night when someone asked: “Where are the places in our community that seemed to be governed by fear, division, doubt and death?”

Blogging Toward Sunday

What kind of friend?

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Oct 01, 2007 by Stan Wilson

In the year after the tsunami destroyed the Sri Lankan coastline, lawmakers threatened to pass a law making Christian evangelism illegal. The proposed law was popular because of widespread anti-Christian sentiment. The majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhist, and they resented the privilege given to minority Christians under British rule in the past.

Blogging Toward Sunday

Great chasm

Luke 16:19-31

Sep 24, 2007 by Stan Wilson

I spent most of the day after Hurricane Katrina checking on members, especially older ones, in and around Clinton, Mississippi, where I live. Clinton did not sustain serious damage, but we lost all power and lots of trees and roofs, and there was a palpable sense of fear and anxiety.

Blogging Toward Sunday

The father's pleasure

Luke 12.32-40

Aug 06, 2007 by Stan Wilson

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms.”

Living by the Word

Seeing things

John 15:1-8

May 02, 2006 by Stan Wilson

I loved Denny Spear, my first pastor, because he knew my name and greeted me weekly. What I didn’t know was that Brother Spear, as I called him, was a man of great conviction. He had resigned from his previous church one Sunday when his members voted not to admit black worshipers.

Living by the Word

Ties that bind

1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18; Acts 4:5-12

May 02, 2006 by Stan Wilson

Our church has an unwritten rule: we will never ignore a member’s basic need. Whenever our members know of a need in the church, they call me. “Is there any money in the benevolence fund? You know Johnny got cut back on his hours, and his kids need help with school supplies.” The answer is always yes. We’ve yet to encounter a need we couldn’t fill.