I’m Not Done Yet
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

I’m Not Done Yet

This blog is written by David Kent. David and Susan Kent have planted multiple churches in Minneapolis and elsewhere. He has served in several leadership roles with the United Pentecostal Church, International. In June of 2024, the Kents celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary.

On December 16, 2022, I drove to the church to plow snow from the parking lot. On arrival, work was being done on the road. The access was blocked. As I stepped out to speak with the workers, I slipped on the icy road. The fall broke…..

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John the Sage
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

John the Sage

This blog is written by Gary D Erickson.

John the Beloved was a leader among the Twelve Apostles. He authored five New Testament books and was a “Sage!” John was the only Apostles to escape martyrdom, live into old age, and die of natural causes. Although he lived a long life. his faith and loyalty to Jesus did not shield him from persecution. He was boiled…..

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Reflecting on Modern Family Dynamics
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

Reflecting on Modern Family Dynamics

This blog is written by Mark Morris.

In today's society, it's evident that we are navigating through a tumultuous period. The Bible prophesized times where what is morally wrong is seen as right, and vice versa, leading to widespread societal dysfunction. One of the most profound impacts of this moral inversion is on the family unit. When families fracture, it is

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The Thing About Used Books
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

The Thing About Used Books

A meme that I saw the other day caught my attention. It stated that “I don't have too many books; it's just that I am deficient in shelving”. This could very well be true at my house. I have always been fascinated with books. When I was a child, I would walk several blocks to the city library and spend time looking at the books and carrying the library’s limit home, then I would bring them back and load up with more.

When I started in the ministry in 1978, I realized how important books were. It has often been said….

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His Ways For the Surviving Spouse
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

His Ways For the Surviving Spouse

But while the pain of loss invades and disrupts the momentum we once treasured, we must remember that God knows the way. The good news is that HE is the Master Re-router! HE makes a way when there seems to be no way! And HE travels with us, never leaving us alone! His map is our guide as we continue toward the destination HE has prepared for us.

Exodus 13:21: “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,so that they could travel by day or night.” Reminders of God’s past provision adorn the highway, giving us courage to …..

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Reimagining Direction
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

Reimagining Direction

This blog is written by Carlton L Coon, Sr.

The destination is clear when an Airbus A321 departs Washington’s Dulles airport, bound for Chicago. During flight, a directional gyroscope is an instrument that helps keep the plane on course. Quietly and continuously, the gyroscope works to keep the plane headed to its destination.

The ongoing assessment and subtle reorienting are essential to a safe arrival. Having a clear destination on departure is wonderful, but the goal is to safely arrive at the destination. But magnetic fields, the curve of the earth, and wind affect flight. Thus, recalibration is constant, so subtly done that passengers are unaware.

What a great illustration of life. Those who arrive at their destination will have experienced ongoing recalibration. Remember the changes from adolescence to young adulthood? As Chris, our youngest son, said, “It was a lot more fun ……….

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Getting Your Affairs in Order
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

Getting Your Affairs in Order

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, put a beneficiary on all of your financial accounts like checking savings CDs, Life Insurance, investments etc. You don't need a will for them to get to your money, just a death certificate. And make a list, preferably by hand instead of your computer, either give it to your trusted person, spouse or put it in your security box at the bank. If the person doesn't know you have a savings account or a CD at XYZ Bank, they can never go get the money. Make sure you have a trusted person that is a signer on the security box at the bank.

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Sages as an Anchor on the Mountainside
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

Sages as an Anchor on the Mountainside

Anchor has multiple definitions. In some way, each definition fits those of the Sage age. An anchor:

  • Finishes a relay race.

  • Is used to secure a vessel against the wind and waves.

  • Is figuratively a mainstay.

  • Reads the news.

In mountaineering, an anchor is a fixed object, be it a tree or pinion, to which a climber secures his rope.

The Dependable Pinion

In two epistles, Simon Peter wrote to those scattered abroad. He was no longer young. For the most part, Peter’s readers were

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Navigating Final Wishes with Grace and Wisdom
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

Navigating Final Wishes with Grace and Wisdom

The following blog is by Mark Morris. #grandparents

The new year is well underway, and hopefully all of the things that we have started out to do we are still in the process of doing. I hope all of that rearranging and decluttering and re-organizing of everything is coming along at a good pace. One of my goals this year, as I stated earlier, was to organize my books. The problem I have is when I am sorting my books, I find one that looks really interesting and I stop and read it. This takes me several days to get back to my organizing, and then I end up liking that author, and I try to find some more books of his to purchase online. It looks like my book collection will continue to grow, but I will try to get it organized.

As most of you know, we started raising our grandchildren over 15 years ago when their dad who was our son was tragically

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Embracing the Role: Grandparents as Influencers and Blessings in the Lives of Their Grandchildren
Carlton Coon Carlton Coon

Embracing the Role: Grandparents as Influencers and Blessings in the Lives of Their Grandchildren

Today there are over 2.6 million children in America who are being raised by their grandparents. If you’re not personally affected by this, then someone you know, undoubtedly is. Perhaps it is a relative or a neighbor, maybe even someone that you know in your church.

Often we see only the negative effects that this relationship can have on the children as well as the grandparents.

Today,I would like for us to realize that the situation…

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