About

Not Nearly All About Me, Just Enough

Welcome to my blog. I’m re-starting blogging mainly to provide an outlet for my writings related to Weller United Methodist Church. I’m the pastor of this wonderful church located in Thurmont, Maryland, the “Gateway” to the Catoctin Mountains. It’s in my heart to share the Good News about Jesus Christ, and I want this blog to be another way to accomplish that. If you’re wondering what you’ll get in these pages, I hope you’ll find a combination of thoughtful reflection, inspiration, and words of hope for our times.

My theology, if you’re interested, is decidedly Wesleyan. It’s based on the movement started by John and Charles Wesley in 18th century England. If I had to describe it in sentence I would say: “It’s scriptural, draws on the traditions of the church, uses God’s gift of reason, and acknowledges the experience of the triune God in our lives, which comes to us through the grace of God found in the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Why is this my “New Blog?” Because the old one was tied to a website that no longer exists and I found it easier to start a new blog than retrieve the old. one.

You may be wondering about the doorkeeper theme in the web address. That comes from one of my all-time favorite poems, “I Stand by the Door,” by Samuel Moore Shoemaker. For me, this poem describes my calling as a pastor with these words:

“I stand by the door. I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out,

The door is the most important door in the world–

It is the door through which men walk when they find God.

There’s no use my going way inside, and staying there,

When so many are still outside and they, as much as I, 

Crave to know where the door is….

So I stand by the door.”

The poem goes on to describe how the doorkeeper stands by the door to help other people find the door that leads to God. So, that’s how I envision my calling–to help seekers to find the way to God.

Most of what you’ll read here was published for the faith community I serve, Weller United Methodist Church. I may have some other postings from time to time but for now, that’s the focus of my ministry and my writing. 

My hope and prayer is that you find something of value here. 

May the peace of Christ be yours this day!

Agape, Pastor Bob