Author: Jeff Hampton

For Wilshire Baptist Church

There’s no doubting the impact a good pastor can have on one’s life, from theological and spiritual leadership to pastoral care. I’ve been fortunate to know some very good pastors in my lifetime, including one who was never actually my pastor: Monsignor Don Fischer, who passed away this week at age 86.

Msgr. Don, as he was known, was the voice of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas for many years on WRR-FM radio. Before the station ended their decades-long programming of local churches on Sunday mornings, you could hear Msgr. Don’s “Pastoral Reflections” and an hour later Wilshire’s worship service from the previous Sunday with George Mason. It was before live streaming, and if you caught one or both of them preaching, along with the scripture passages and musical selections included in their half hour, you felt like you’d really been to church.

Continue reading “Reflections on Pastors”

For Wilshire Baptist Church

While mowing the lawn this week I saw the neighbors across the street drive up to their house. The mom got out of the driver’s seat, the son out of the passenger seat, and they both carried bags of groceries inside. I don’t know the age of the boy but he’s as tall as me, and I wondered: If he’s of driving age, then why wasn’t he driving? I sure would have been.

I know recent generations of teens have not been as excited about driving as we were, and I understand some of the reasons for that. They grew up in the back seat of the car instead of the front, and they grew up with devices in their hands that are more entertaining than looking out the window at the traffic. Why drive when you can be streaming videos and texting with your friends?

Continue reading “The Ride of Your Life”

For Wilshire Baptist Church

There are some days when I just wonder, “What’s God up to? What’s the deal here?”

Saturday we attended the senior voice recital of Wilshire’s Katherine Pottkotter, who is graduating from high school and will continue her studies in voice and music at DePaul University. For 90 minutes we were treated to a beautiful showcase of Katherine’s talent singing across genres from Mozart to Sondheim. I knew she was amazing from the many times I’ve heard her in church, but this was over the top.

Continue reading “Beautiful Beginnings”