faith – might be baloney

Easter: Good Friday With The Weeds

April 5, 2026 Bill Pike4 Comments

Early on Friday morning, April 3, 2026, I removed the purple cloth from the cross on the front lawn of our church.

I replaced the purple with four torn pieces of black cloth.

The black represents the somber, solemn remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

As you well know, I’m no theologian. Good Friday seems an odd label for naming the day that Jesus was crucified on the cross. I struggle to find the goodness with a good person like Jesus dying this way.

Additionally, you are probably thinking, Bill isn’t much of a Christian if he doesn’t understand this sacrifice as an atonement for sins, thus a win, a victory over sins and death.

Today, I spent my time on the grounds of our church. I was trying to make the place look pretty for Easter Sunday. I had help from a contracted grounds crew, but not every square inch of our property is covered in the contract.

Most of my time, I was in combat with the weeds. Weeds in borders, weeds in sidewalk cracks, weeds in the mulch surrounding the base of trees, weeds in the fissures of asphalt—weeds, weeds everywhere.

In one border, the weeds were so thick that I knew a huge spider, or a slippery snake were going to have a bit of fun with me. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

By late afternoon, I was tired of the weeds, and the weeds were tired of me.

Weeding offers solitude.

Weeding can be a time to ponder.

I have an early morning routine that starts my day with the devotional magazine the Upper Room, a well-worn script for prayers, and a computer stop at Bible Gateway.

At Bible Gateway, I always read the Verse of the Day.

One day this week, the featured verse was from Psalm 14 verse one (New International Version of the Bible): “The fool says in his heart, ‘there is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”

I’ve thought about this verse quite a bit during the week.

I’m sorry, but at my age, I’m having quite a few of those fool days—‘there is no God.’

Easter is such a contrast to Christmas.

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and even with this story there is tension. But like a Hollywood script, the early part of Jesus’ life worked out.

With Easter, the contrast is obvious. Now, we are talking about the end of his life, his death on a cross. There is a tension in this story too.

Lots happened in the days following the birth of Jesus. I like the verse of scripture from Luke Chapter 2 verse 19: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

In John Chapter 19, we learn that Mary was near the cross watching her son. His simple words to her were: “Woman, here is your son.” I wonder what Mary pondered in her heart following the death Jesus?

I wonder if she thought, yes, you are my son, and you shouldn’t be dying this way.

Did Mary think—God where are you?

You turned the lives of Joseph and me upside down with his birth, and now he is being crucified on a cross.

What kind of deal is this?

A good man, who did good things in your name, crucified on a cross, right in front of me.

Perhaps, you recall the movie—Steel Magnolias.

Oh no, Bill is going Hollywood on us again. Doesn’t he know that Hollywood isn’t real life?

Yes, I know Hollywood isn’t real life. Yet, a good scriptwriter can make words come to life.
Robert Harling, the writer of Steel Magnolias, accomplishes this in a a powerful scene in the cemetery following Shelby’s funeral.

Shelby’s mother, M’Lynn is joined by four of her closest friends. The women are there in support of M’Lynn.

M’Lynn responds to her friend, Annelle, “And it’s a real good idea. Shelby wouldn’t want us to get down mired down and wallow in this. We should handle it the best way we know how and get on with it. That’s what my mind says. I wish someone would explain it to my heart.”

Returning back to Psalm 14 and my struggle with Easter. Maybe you disagree, but I don’t see my heart as corrupt, vile, or incapable of doing good.

The fool in my heart wants to understand why.

Wanting to understand the why is human.

Doesn’t matter if it is M’Lynn in the loss of her daughter in Steel Magnolias, Mary in the loss of Jesus on the cross, or any parent who has suffered the premature loss of a child.

We want to understand why, and we want to know where was God?

I hope you and your loved ones have a good Easter.

Maybe before next Easter, I’ll spend more time pondering with my friends the weeds the death of Jesus.

And maybe, the fool in my decrepit heart, who argues with God about a lot of things, will finally hear God’s heart.

Valentine’s Day: “their song is love”

February 14, 2026 Bill PikeLeave a comment

According to a report from CNBC, the National Retail Federation and Prosper lnsights and Analytics, Americans will spend an estimated 14.6 billion dollars for Valentine’s Day.

Clearly, I wasn’t included in the survey.

I’ll hope that Trader Joe’s hasn’t sold out of their high quality $1.00 cards, and somewhere today, I’ll find appropriate chocolate for my Commander Supreme.

If Trader Joe’s is sold out of cards, I’ll use the stash of crayons, colored pencils, and markers that our grandchildren keep here to create a card for the love of my life, my Commander Supreme.

I always loved the title of the Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

I think quite a bit about those words “lonely hearts.”

At 72, I’m much more aware of “lonely hearts” in the world today.

You might be aware that lots of data is out there related to loneliness.

Some report that 1 out of every 6 of us experience loneliness. Others report that figure as 1 out of every 5.

In 2023, the U. S. Surgeon General declared “loneliness” an epidemic.

I wonder how much of our loneliness is based upon the pace of the world?

Is it because our days move so fast that we become less aware of the lonely people around us?

Perhaps, combatting loneliness depends upon our hearts.

Can we slow our pace, can we open our hearts more, can our hearts be more attentive, can our hearts give more time?

Recently, Henry Chambers, an attorney and law professor at the University of Richmond, was our community guest at Pub Theology at the WayGone Brewery.

Early in his career, Dr. Chambers talked about a mentorship that he participated in at a local school. Some how, Dr. Chambers was able to build a relationship to bring a quiet, shy student out of his shell. It was Dr. Chamber’s patient heart and time that helped this student to move forward.

Yesterday at our church, we celebrated the life of Mr. Bob’s wife, Vickie.

Attending the funeral were numerous Hispanic students and families from Oak Grove Bellemeade Elementary School. Mr. Bob is surely sad and lonely from the loss of the love of his life, but on the tough days ahead of him, the love of those students and their families will get him through.

I wonder if any of the pollsters in America have conducted a survey about our hearts. What might we learn about our hearts?

If they framed a question about the hearts of political leaders, I wonder what Americans would say about their hearts?

Soft hearted soul that I am, I can tell you there might be a heart beating in the chest of some of our leaders, but those hearts have no love, no compassion.

I once had the privilege of speaking at our church during December. No pastor has ever set a perimeter for me as in don’t say this or that. Pastors are time conscious. My only guideline— stay within a fifteen to twenty minute time frame.

In speaking about the birth of Jesus, and the love that was brought into the world with his arrival, I cited a song from the Beach Boys titled “Surf’s Up.” The song isn’t about surfing or Jesus.

“Surf’s Up” might be one of Brian Wilson’s best compositions. The song features lyrics from Van Dyke Parks that will leave you scratching your head.

But for that Sunday morning in the pulpit, I was focused on the tag of the song. This is the end where all the harmony of the Beach Boys’ voices are woven together.

In that tag, these words are sung: “I heard the word, wonderful thing, a children’s song, have you listened as they played? Their song is love, and the children know the way.”

It is no secret that I love the artwork created by the students at the Trinity UMC Preschool.

Working with their teachers, these students have created some heart touching masterpieces.

On this Valentine’s Day, I wonder what our hearts might learn from our children?

They provide us a gentle reminder: “ a children’s song, have you listened as they played? Their song is love, and the children know the way.”

If we are going to make it in this chaotic world, we need to find the way of the children and their song of love.

It’s our only hope.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Student artwork Trinity UMC Preschool (Photo Bill Pike)

America’s firestorm

January 26, 2026 Bill PikeLeave a comment

It has been a year since wildfires devastated parts of Los Angeles, California. Recently, I have read and listened to follow-up reports about these deadly and destructive fires.

From the NPR show Fresh Air, I listened to host Tonya Moseley’s interview with journalist, Jacob Soboroff, about his new book “Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires And America’s New Age Of Disaster.” Soboroff interviewed one firefighter who said, “there’s no fire season, it’s fire year.”

In truth, I feel that way about America at this time. I sense America is in a firestorm. From “sea to shining sea” and beyond our borders we are a raging hot spot.

We are burning out of control. There is no immunity. Every state and country has kindling ready to ignite.

ICE shootings in Minnesota and Oregon.

Another mass shooting in Clay County, Mississippi with six people dead. The victims range in age from 7 to 67.

A arson fire in Mississippi that burned through a historic synagogue destroying its library. In 1967, the same synagogue endured a bombing by the Ku Klux Klan.

Beyond our borders, America’s foreign policy has intense flames in Venezuela, the Ukraine-Russia war, the unrest in Iran, and the always volatile Middle East.

And despite these hot spots, the hottest, most intense fire burns in our nation’s capital.

The mentality of our leadership is fueled by greed, disrespect, incivility, selfishness, abusive power, vindictiveness, and a complete disregard for the truth.

As badly as we might want 2026 to be a better year, it is already “a fire year.”

In 1962, James Baldwin wrote in an essay for the New York Times: “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

America we are overdue to face ourselves.

Author’s note: This piece was submitted to the Richmond Times-Dispatch as a letter to the editor on January 13, 2026. To the best of my knowledge, it was rejected.

Disrupting the darkness, “does this story have a point?”

December 25, 2025 Bill Pike2 Comments

By now you know, I don’t have a theological brain.

During Advent, Christmas, this holy season, I think about Luke Chapter 2 verses 8-10:

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Ok, I’m a shepherd.

It’s dark, cold. I’m in the middle of nowhere.

I pray that a coyote, fox, or wolf will not disrupt the stillness and try to steal one of my flock.

In my years of being a shepherd, I’ve been lucky. I’ve always been able to scare off those prowlers.

But tonight, a light appeared on the horizon.

That light kept moving toward us.

The light traveled quickly across the sky becoming brighter and brighter, until finally the light was right on top of us.

I cowered. I tried to make myself smaller, but the light was too bright. Fear shivered down my weakening spine.

And then the fear shook me more. The light spoke.

The light said, “do not be afraid.”

“Do not be afraid”— are you kidding me? How ridiculous.

Listen you wing flapping angel, I’m tempted to take my sling shot and hurl a stone at you.

If I’m lucky enough to make it up to heaven some day, I’m liable to track you down.

And when you least expect it, I’m going to get even, and scare the feathers off your wings.

Let’s be honest here.

Even though the angel did convey the good news of Jesus’ birth, the delivery carried a fearful tone.

Let’s continue the honesty, Joseph and Mary, the bewildered parents of Jesus, experienced fear too.

Start with this puzzling intrusion of their engagement by God.

When it is time for Mary to give birth, fear hovered around the young couple. With this census taking place, rooms were difficult to secure. So a stable, with all the amenities—a manager, hay, gentle animals, and swaddling cloths came together quickly from a generous innkeeper.

Today, fear is rarely absent in our lives.

From the beginning of time, I suspect has been one of our most reliable pests.

Truthfully, I think fear is always rambling in the background of Advent with questions like this:

What happens if I can’t find the perfect gift?

What will I do if I overcook this batch of cookies?

When will I loose patience in the beauty of this season and snap at a loved one?

Why should I fear offering assistance to the apparent homeless person in the median of a busy intersection?

What drives me in my work to try and make every person happy? Why do I fear saying no, I can’t make that happen?

Earlier in December, at Trinity, the church where I work, I had an especially trying stretch of busy days.

On a Friday afternoon, the internal workings of a toilet sent a profanity alert to heaven.

No matter what I tried a valve and a flapper did not want to align properly. The good Lord must have tired of my poor choice of words.

He nudged me one more time. My eyes found my two installation errors. I exclaimed, “God still lives.”

While riding my exercise bike on the morning of Tuesday, December 22, I listened to an interview on the NPR show, Fresh Air. Host Terry Gross, interviewed Vanity Fair writer, Chris Whipple.

Mr. Whipple had conducted eleven interviews with Susie Wiles to write an article for the magazine. Miss Wiles is the White House Chief of Staff for President Trump.

During the course of the interview with Terry Gross, Mr. Whipple reported that Miss Wiles believes in what she calls “disruptors.”

I’m certain that Miss Wiles and I would clash over the “disruptors” that surround her.

But I wonder if we could agree that Jesus was a “disruptor?”

For lots of different reasons, I have an affection for the movie, Steel Magnolias.

I’m particularly drawn to the character, Ouiser, portrayed by the actor, Shirley MacLaine.

In a scene where Ouiser is hustling to a pedicure appointment, she is gently confronted by Shelby, the daughter of a friend.

Shelby has met a former flame of Ouiser’s. Shelby presses Ouiser to see if she might have any interest in seeing this gentleman again.

Ouiser, with no hesitation, asks Shelby, “does this story have a point?”

Every Christmas, I ask myself the same confounding internal question about the birth of Jesus—“does this story have a point?”

And despite whatever doubts I might wrestle, I think the birth of Jesus does have a point.

Jesus is a disruptor.

He disrupts darkness, John 1 verse 5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Maybe where you live, tacky Christmas lights are popular. In our neighborhood, there are a couple of homes that have made the tacky light tour.

During the holiday season tour buses, vans, and special limousines drive by these homes. At each home, the drivers of the vehicles pause so their passengers can gawk and stare at the tacky displays.

I’m happy for the people who enjoy the tacky light tours.

But during Christmas, I search out less obvious seasonal lights.

Two streets over from our home, I’m drawn to a singular light of a pretty star dangling beneath the limbs of pine trees in a backyard.

On some late winter afternoons, from the intersection of Stuart Hall and Sweetbriar Roads, I look west into the spectacular colors of a sunset.

One of our stunning sunsets (Photo Bill Pike)

In my daily ramblings around Trinity, I come across the intrusion of sunlight in our sanctuary.

I love how the golden light of a rising sun cast upon a window pane.

Early morning golden sunrise (Photo Bill Pike)

Over in the Preschool, I see the star of light atop a Christmas tree in artwork created by children who are eager for Christmas to arrive.

Pretty artwork from Preschool students (Photo Bill Pike)

On December 17, the Trinity staff took a lunch break at the studio of our music director, Ben Miller. In close proximity to the VCU campus, this section of Cary Street has seen a rebirth.

As we were leaving, I read these words artfully displayed on a fence: “find your light and grow towards it.”

That disruptor, the Bethlehem Bundle, needs us to find his light.

He needs us to disrupt the lurking darkness found in every corner of this old world.

He needs us to disrupt with hope and love.

When we become disruptors with hope and love, our story will have a point.

We Need A New Commandment

December 8, 2025 Bill Pike2 Comments

Steeple at St. James’s Episcopal Church Richmond, VA (Photo Bill Pike)

                                Read Luke 8: 43-48

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

                              Jeremiah 29:11

On a pretty September afternoon, my wife and I attended the funeral for a neighbor. The sanctuary was at capacity. This celebration of her precious life was perfect. There was only one problem—I don’t think this daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, and nurse should have died.

Our neighbor beat cancer once. I’m sorry God, but I think if a person beats cancer once, this person should have immunity from a second battle with this disrespectful disease. We need a new commandment: Thou shalt not have cancer a second time.

From Luke 8, I struggle with the instant healing of the woman who barely touched Jesus’ clothing. God, don’t you think a person battling cancer for the second time should have such a redemption? Surely, our neighbor believed just like the woman in Luke believed.

I always found comfort in Jeremiah 29:11. Yet, in real life moments like the passing of our neighbor, it is difficult to find that reassurance. She needed those hopeful plans for good welfare and no harm.

I apologize for whining God. However, I don’t think I’m a solo whiner when it comes to a recurrence of cancer. Despite my imperfections, I know you love me, but we need that new commandment.

Prayer: Father of us all give us the strength to endure when cancer pushes against us. Amen

Prayer Focus: Anyone battling cancer.

Thought For The Day: Bless those who are working to defeat cancer.

Note from author: On October 7, 2025 this devotional was submitted to the Upper Room for publication consideration. December 4, 2025, the standard email of rejection arrived. While disappointed, I understand, and I attempt to learn from every rejection. Be safe, Bill Pike

Led By God

November 18, 2025 Bill Pike2 Comments

Cover from the Upper Room (Photo taken by Bill Pike)

Read Mark 10:46-52

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NRSVUE)

I enjoy taking early morning runs, and before I leave the house, I check the weather conditions from the nearby airport.

One morning, the visibility at the airport was down to one mile. A thick layer of gray clouds hung above the treetops.

As I ran, I heard a plane overhead, but because of the cloud cover I couldn’t see it; I knew that the pilots couldn’t see the ground either.

Pilots must always rely on their training and sophisticated instruments to safely fly and land the plane, but this is especially true when visibility is reduced.

Sometimes I struggle to see where I need to go in life. l lose focus, and finding my way is difficult.

In those moments, I work to regain my bearings with these words from Proverbs 3:5-6— “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Trusting in God is not always easy.

Yet, that is exactly what Bartimaeus did when he asked Jesus to restore his sight; he trusted God in his heart.

On those days when the way is unclear, my heart needs to be more trusting, just like Bartimaeus.

Prayer: Faithful God, help our hearts to trust you when our vision is clouded. Guide us through your word. Amen

Thought For The Day: When the way seems unclear, I will trust God to lead me.

Bill Pike (Virginia, USA)

Note from the author: Friends I’m honored to have this piece published in the November-December edition of the Upper Room today, Tuesday, November 18, 2025. In case you are interested, I’ve also included the original piece that was submitted to the Upper Room. Thanks for your reading time, be safe, Bill Pike

Flying With God

Read Mark 10:46-52

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NRSV)

I still enjoy taking an early morning run through our neighborhood.

I keep a running journal. Before I leave the house, I jot down the current weather conditions from the local airport.

Most mornings, the visibility is listed at ten miles. At the dawning of this day, the visibility at the airport was down to one mile.

In our neighborhood, a layer of thick, gray clouds hung above the treetops. As I started my run, I could hear the whine of jet engines in the cloud cover, but I couldn’t see the plane.

When visibility is reduced, pilots must rely upon their training and the use of sophisticated instruments to safely bring the plane through the clouds for a landing.

Sometimes in life, I struggle to see where I need to be landing. My vision becomes blurry. I lose focus. Finding my way is difficult.

In those moments, I work to restore my sight with these words from Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Trusting in God or Jesus when my vision is cloudy is not easy to do.

Yet, that is exactly what Bartimaeus did when he asked Jesus to restore his sight—his heart trusted.

On those days when my vision is reduced, my heart needs to be more trusting like Bartimaeus.

Prayer: Father of us all, help our hearts to trust you when our vision is reduced. Amen

Thought For The Day: When the clouds of life reduce our vision, trusting in the Lord can lead us to his light.

Submitted to the Upper Room 4/6/24

Out at Cedarfield: Ouiser, fears, craziness, and bad moods

September 16, 2025 Bill Pike2 Comments

“I’m not crazy M’Lynn. I’ve just been in a very bad mood for forty years.”

Those words were spoken by Ouiser Boudreaux, the character portrayed by actress, Shirley MacLaine, in the movie Steel Magnolias.

In truth, Ouiser Boudreaux, reminds me of my mother’s sister, Mildred.

I loved Mildred because like Ouiser, Mildred was always honest. She never held back.

Robert Harling wrote the play, Steel Magnolias, and the screenplay that was made into a movie. The play was based upon Harling’s experience of his sister’s death.

I sense it would be fairly easy to take Ouiser’s observation about herself and apply it to our lives.
To the therapist: “I’m not crazy, Dr. Watson, I’ve just been living with my wife for the last fifty one years.”

To the superintendent of schools: “No m’am, I’m not crazy, I’ve just been trying to teach middle school students for the last thirty one years.”

To your doctor: “No sir, I’m not crazy, I know operating the television’s remote control for six hours a day isn’t a cardiovascular activity.”

I wonder if people ever felt that Jesus was crazy?

Think about Matthew Chapter 8 verses 23-27: “And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’”

The collective question of the disciples says it all—“What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”

Maybe what they were really thinking was—“Is this man crazy?”

But in truth, the toughest question in this passage comes from Jesus: “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?”
From the disciples perspective, their fear is grounded in the intensity of the storm that is battering their boat.

Think about it— no life preservers, no flares to fire off, no cell phone, no Coast Guard helicopter in route.

Nope all they have is this crazy guy Jesus.

I’ll be truthful with you, my faith and fear are grounded in this—I still struggle to always understand this crazy guy Jesus.

I will go to my grave wondering why prayers for one friend battling cancer are answered while prayers for another friend are not.

How can a woman with a longstanding health problem in Luke Chapter 8 barely touch Jesus’ clothing and her medical condition is immediately cured?

Talk about crazy, that story drives me nuts.

All this suffering in the world, even in this beautiful facility at Cedarfield, and that touch from Jesus seems so far away.

And yet, I don’t think Jesus is far away.

No, I think the problem is that I have continued to distance myself from him.

And that distance comes from my inability to see and understand Jesus’ craziness.

I think it would be very fair for God and Jesus to say: “We’re not crazy Bill. But because of all the challenges we see on earth everyday, we’ve just been in a very bad mood for a zillion years.”

You, me, we us know that God and Jesus have lots of reasons to be in a very bad mood when they look down upon us.

No doubt, the world can put us in a very bad mood.

But, if we let that very bad mood consume us, we will lose our hope.

A few years ago I received an email from Tommy Yow. A long, long time ago, Tommy was the Associate Pastor and Youth Director at Davis Street United Methodist Church in Burlington, North Carolina.

Tommy who now is retired in Alabama read an op-ed piece I wrote about the closing of Davis Street. The piece appeared in three North Carolina newspapers. Through one of those newspapers Tommy tracked me down.

I loved reconnecting with him.

Every week Tommy forwards to me thoughtful emails from Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar and ecumenical teacher, the retired Reverend Dr. Terry E. Walton from the North Georgia Conference, and Linda Henley at Lake Junaluska. I try to skim those writings. Occasionally, something in those posts will stick with me.

I have no idea who Jo Cato is but this quote from her was used in one of those postings: “Be brave. The unfamiliar will shape you more than the familiar ever could.”

It is tough to be brave when life becomes unfamiliar.

Yet, I think Jo Cato is correct. We have an opportunity to learn from these unfamiliar times.

I guess the real question is— are we willing to learn from these unfamiliar times?

The disciples were in unfamiliar territory with the storm pounding their boat. Fear gripped them.

For lots of different reasons, fear grips me today too.

I recently listened to an interview with Jane Fonda on the National Public Radio show Fresh Air.

Yes, I know people can still have strong feelings about Jane Fonda.

But this exchange about “fear” in the interview caught my attention.

JANE FONDA: And I wrote a book, and I lost my fear.

HOST TONYA MOSLEY: You wrote a book about aging.

JANE FONDA: Yeah. Yeah. The thing to do when you’re scared, at least for me, is I make what I’m afraid of my best friend. I learn all about it. I wrap my arms around it and squash it to death (laughter).

HOST TONYA MOSLEY: Why do you do that?

JANE FONDA: Because then I’m not afraid anymore.

There are things in life that can make us fearful, things in life that can make us crazy, and things in life that can put us in bad moods.

And in all that fear, craziness, and bad moods, and despite the impact these things have on us, God and Jesus are still hanging around.

They are ready to help us face our fears, craziness, and bad moods.

They want to help us answer Jesus’ questions: “why are you afraid, where is your faith?”

People who have known me for a long, long, long time know that I was a marginal student. I drove my parents crazy with my poor performance in school.

Yet, somehow, my parents stuck with me. They didn’t abandon me. Their deep faith anchored them in hope that some day their knucklehead of a son might land on his feet.

Though Jesus was aggravated with his disciples as the storm thrashed their boat, he did not abandon them.

At this very moment, if we have any chance of enduring this unfamiliar world, its fears, its craziness, and its bad moods, we can’t abandon the calmer of the sea.

And that requires you, me, we, us to be as honest with our hearts as Ouiser Boudreaux.

While it might be a stretch, our hearts want to say—we’re not crazy Jesus, but you know the truth.

Our hearts have been very bad at ignoring you when the unfamiliar storms of life hit us.

Don’t give up on us yet.

Toss us your life preserver of hope.

Maybe, we’ll get it right this time.

Author’s note: On the afternoon of Tuesday, September 16, 2025, I had the privilege of presenting a devotional at Cedarfield. Cedarfield is an United Methodist retirement community in Henrico County, Virginia. For eleven years, our church, Trinity United Methodist, has been presenting worship gatherings for Trinity members and Cedarfield residents. These gatherings take place four times a year.

The Prayer Decoy

September 10, 2025 Bill Pike4 Comments

On the afternoon of Thursday, August 21, just a few minutes shy of 3 p.m., a man knocked on the door to the Stuart Hall Road entrance to our Sanctuary.

Our head building caretaker responded to the knock.

When he opened the door, this stranger said he wanted a pastor to pray for him.

Our building caretaker walked the stranger toward the church office.

Once there, our assistant pastor met with the stranger.

The request for prayer quickly shifted to a financial need to cover the cost of car insurance.

When our assistant pastor asked some basic questions about the car insurance, the stranger became belligerent and indignant. Displeased, he responded by cursing our assistant.

With this abusive language, the stranger was asked to leave the building. He was escorted out by our assistant and another staff member.

This pretense of prayer reminded me of an episode of The Andy Griffith Show titled “A Black Day For Mayberry.” The story is about a shipment of gold that is scheduled to go through Mayberry on its way to Fort Knox.

Of course, Mayberry’s biggest blabber mouth, Deputy Barney Fife, lets it slip out that a shipment of gold is on the way. This creates havoc among the citizens of Mayberry. They create an unwanted welcoming for the gold truck and its personnel.

Through a series of bungled assumptions by Deputy Fife, and his recently deputized associate bungler Gomer Pyle, we learn that the truck going through Mayberry was a decoy. The truck carrying the gold went a different route.

When Sheriff Taylor, Deputy Fife, and Deputy Pyle learn this, Deputy Pyle exclaims: “Shazam, a decoy.”

On Thursday afternoon, when I learned of our prayer seeking intruder, I felt like shouting: “Shazam, a prayer decoy.”

Yet, deep inside of me, I was angry, infuriated. Perhaps, I was just as angry as our prayer seeker when he learned that no financial assistance was to be provided because his prayer decoy plot had failed.

When I spoke further with our assistant about this stranger, turns out he wasn’t unknown to Trinity. In fact, I have his name on my prayer list.

In the past, with random infrequency, this person has shown up at Trinity seeking assistance. However, this was the first time that his interaction with church personnel was unacceptable.

One of the wristbands on my right arm says—“be kind.”

I wonder if Jesus would have been “kind” to our prayer seeker?

Might Jesus have confronted the prayer seeker by physically flipping him over like he did the tables in the temple?

Situations like this continue to erode what little Christianity I have left.

I wonder how the prayer seeker is wired?

How can a person falsely request prayer, immediately switch to ask for financial assistance, and seconds later become verbally abusive when asked reasonable, clarifying questions?

I wonder if he had worked his way down Forest Avenue stopping at each church trying the same prayer decoy?

But what I really want to know is what in the person’s lifetime put him in this position?

What is even more aggravating is I’ve been praying for this guy for years, and it appears that my prayers haven’t changed his behavior.

Maybe, I’m the problem.

Maybe, I’m a lousy prayer.

And to be even more truthful, this prayer deceit really bothered me because everyday, I’m praying for people who are in life or death situations with cancer, families who are providing care for loved ones with dementia, friends of our family who have children whose personal lives have fallen apart, and lifelong friends and co-workers whose hearts are forever crushed after tragically losing a daughter or son.

I can make this even more complicated by thinking about Hebrews 13:2: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

I’m sorry God, but I fail to see any angelic traits from the prayer decoy schemer.

I look forward to the arrival of the magazine The Week in our mail. I always read the Wit and Wisdom section. This section features quotes from a wide variety of mostly famous people.

In the September 5-12 edition, I came across this quote from American writer, James Baldwin: “The reason I will never hate anybody again is that it’s too demeaning a confession on your part if you need to hate somebody. It means you are afraid of the other thing, which is to love and be loved.”

Mr. Baldwin is correct.

I strongly dislike the method of the prayer decoy seeker.

Because of this tactic, I am afraid, unable to love the prayer decoy seeker.

Why is my heart incapable of doing this?

Stuart Hall Road doors (Photo Bill Pike)

Oh, I know who you are.

August 30, 2025 Bill PikeLeave a comment

This time last year, there was a mad rush in one wing of our church building to complete a three floor renovation project.

The contractor was doing everything humanly possible to be substantially finished by August 31.

It wasn’t perfect, but the deadline was met. More importantly, the county’s building inspector granted permission to occupy that wing.

In the year that has passed, we’ve spent time with punch lists, uncooperative technology, ambushed water intrusions, and attempting to learn the nuances of the new HVAC system.

HVAC systems are always a challenge. Perhaps the biggest hurdle comes from monitoring our own individual human thermostats.

A few weeks ago, in the neighborhood where our church is located, a powerful late afternoon thunderstorm got our attention. This storm knocked out power to a wide section of the neighborhood.

At the church, the storm disabled two phases of electricity to our building. Full power didn’t return to us until the next afternoon. But in the long minutes when the storm was in action, the flickering ups and downs of the electrical service to our building reeked havoc on some of the components for the new HVAC system.

Because of a shortage of parts from the manufacturer, we’ve been patiently awaiting for repairs.

Recently, one of the technicians for the company was in our building to recheck the monitoring technology.

I wasn’t sure if he remembered me. So, I reintroduced myself.

As I was doing this, he responded to me, “Oh, I know who you are.”

I didn’t know how to take—“Oh, I know who you are,” but we had a good conversation about the challenges involved in getting the HVAC issues solved.

In all my years of working in public schools, we had plenty of challenging students. Students that we knew who they were because rightly or wrongly, their reputations preceded them. For a few of these students, living down their reputations was virtually impossible.

Over time and with the right support, a handful of those students figured out how to make adjustments. Their challenging behaviors became less intrusive.

And then there was a group that no matter what they tried, they just could not keep from getting attention in all the wrong ways. And of course, no matter what the school tried, we could never quite make the right connection, or build the right relationship to help the student adjust.

“Oh, I know who you are,” made me think about my own life.

How do people see me?

Does my reputation precede me?

Do my imperfections create challenges for me and the people I encounter on a daily basis?

Sometimes, I wonder if God really knows who I am?

With so many people in this world, what does God truly know about me?

My guess he knows that my morning prayer routine is too long.

He probably knows that I’m a constant, repetitive whiner.

This is especially true when life goes wrong for good people. I whine to God, “what are you thinking, where are you, how could you let this happen?”

Psalm 139 verse 13 implies that God has known me since I was knit together in my mother’s womb.

In Matthew and Luke, the scripture states that even the hairs of my head are numbered. This is another indication that God knows me down to the hairs on my head.

At this stage of my life, I’d say the hairs on my head are disappearing at such a rapid rate that an accurate inventory is useless.

Whiny old buzzard, new HVAC system behind me (Photo Bill Pike)

I wonder if my shrinking hairline decreases my value in the eyes of the Lord? Am I still of more value than the sparrows of the field?

I have some days on my wobble through life when I think the sparrows of the field are of more value than me.

On those valueless days, I ask myself— why aren’t you doing more?

Where is your voice?

Why aren’t you finding your voice to speak out?

How can you let all of the injustice of this dismantling pass by you in silence?

Maybe God really does know me.

Maybe he knows that I’m nothing more than a whiny old buzzard with no backbone who is gripped by fear of what people will think of me when I finally assert my muted voice.

My wife and I are playing catch up with the Apple TV series—Ted Lasso. We have made it into season three.

In prepping his team, Coach Lasso shares wisdom with his soccer players. Coach Lasso has a way of blending on field wisdom into life wisdom for his players.

I was taken by these words from the script of Episode 12 in Season 2: “To quote the great UCLA college basketball coach, John Obi-Wan Gandalf, “It is our choices, gentlemen, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

Of course, Coach Lasso was referencing legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden. Coach Wooden not only taught his players the essential details of playing college basketball, but attempted to equip his players about essential life skills too.

“Oh, I know who you are” really comes down to this—do I know who I am?

It is my choices that reveal if I really know who I am.

Regardless of womb knitting, counting hairs, and sparrows, God is watching my clock.

In the remaining time he has allocated for me, I must be wiser. I must find out who I really am.

How about you?

How much longer can your church hang on?

August 25, 2025 Bill PikeLeave a comment

Growing up in Burlington, North Carolina, every Sunday, I was in church— Sunday school, worship service, and a youth program later that evening. Illness was the only interruption.

That church, Davis Street United Methodist, is now closed. Congregation voted to shutdown. With declining attendance and financial support, staying open wasn’t logical.

To their credit church leaders did their homework. A buyer for the building was found. Over a period of time, the Davis Street congregation opted to merge with another Methodist church.

Over the last fourteen years, I’ve had the privilege of working at my church, Trinity United Methodist. During that time, I’ve learned a lot about churches.

Whether they want to admit it, churches, no matter their size or status, aren’t immune from wondering how much longer can they hang on.

No question, the pandemic had an impact on churches.

Yet, respected research organizations like Gallup and Pew have been reporting for years that churches were struggling.

Six years past the pandemic, congregations are still challenged to address declining attendance, giving, aging members, and deteriorating buildings.

In March of 2024, Gallup reported: “On any given weekend, about three in 10 U.S. adults attend religious services, down from 42% two decades ago.”

A February 2025 study from the Pew Research Center found some stabilization in their data. However, when looking toward the future, this key point was made: “younger Americans remain far less religious than older adults.”

Daniel Silliman, in Christianity Today, and Francis Wilkinson, in Bloomberg, have written about the possible impact that Donald Trump has made in contributing to the decline of church attendance.

No matter who takes the blame, I wonder how frequently church leaders point the finger of blame back at their own shortcomings?

In the baseball movie, Moneyball, there is a pivotal scene between a rookie executive, who is skilled in player analysis, and the seasoned general manager of the team.

The young executive makes a bold statement: “Baseball thinking is medieval, they are asking all the wrong questions.”

Part of me believes that “church thinking is medieval, they are they asking all the wrong questions.”

I’m no expert on churches. However, in this current environment, I think church leaders and congregations are overdue to ask tough questions. That is the only way to determine their current standing in order to determine a path forward.

Part of me believes that churches would benefit from participating in an accreditation process. That process would require churches on an annual basis to assess key evaluative criteria related to: program offerings, finances, outreach, personnel, facilities, safety, technology, and the ability to make meaningful connections.

Conducting an annual review could potentially help churches in making difficult decisions relate to budgets, personnel, facilities, and the effectiveness of their program offerings.

With a need to attract young families, I think churches often overlook the concept of “discretionary time.” Young families often over extend, they are always on the go.

So, how does a church help young families find a fit that works for them? Can churches develop flexibility in their seemingly inflexible traditional schedules for young families?

How can churches be more welcoming to those exploring churches? On a first visit, a nervous visitor doesn’t need to hear the unwelcoming: “Sorry, sonny, but your sitting in my pew.”

Finding their footing for the future means churches can’t fear change.

Churches must embrace change. The path forward will not be found in producing more predictable sameness. Congregations should consider this question—do you want the autopsy for your church to state: cause of death—stubbornly resistant to change.

And speaking of death, why must a funeral be the time to learn all about a church member? Churches must become stronger in building ‘living’ relationships within and outside the walls of the church.

That means becoming more adept in capturing and sharing significant stories within the congregation and community.

How much longer your church can hang on isn’t up to me.

Hanging on depends on your congregation and its leadership, and the willingness to take some risks.

Here are five simple risks:

Compile all essential data about your church for detailed research and review.

From this review, determine what works and what isn’t working within your church.

Resolve to tell the truth from these findings.

Write a report of findings for the congregation that clearly reveals the challenges and strengths of the church.

Use the report of findings as the pivot point for determining how to move forward.

More church closings are unavoidable.

Maybe that’s why this Og Mandino wisdom keeps coming back to me: “I have never heard anything about the resolutions of the apostles, but a good deal about their acts.”

Churches now is the time to act.