John Lynner Peterson

C’mon in my writing den – The Maple Loft.

A dear friend says, “The quality of my life is the quality of my relationships.”

Help yourself to the writings, stories, and sermons that are posted here.

They’re my way of staying in touch with cherished friends from across 6+ decades of life and 4+ decades of ministry

. . . and hopefully cultivating new relationships for years to come.

If I can be of any help or encouragement, speak, teach, preach or keynote an event for you, let’s talk.

Send me an email using the contact form, subscribe to my newsletter below, or just drop by now and then.

I’ll do my best to make sure it’s worth your while.

David’s Newest Book: Pew & Pavement

Thirty stories of urban ministry paved with gospel gladness.

The Bible begins in a garden but ends in a city. Here are stories born of a remarkable congregation’s century-plus ministry from their sanctuary’s pews to the pavement of the hurly-burly, bawdy, boisterous city. David Shirey introduces a cast of characters who have in common an uncommon tenacity and tenderness. Ella on bended knee with her toenail clippers. Cliff the barber with his toolbox and Bible, praying on the roof at the base of the steeple. Carol orchestrating the mother of all Vacation Bible Schools. Millie’s unbounded munificence to neighbors in need. From the asphalt streets of St. Louis’ near south side, here are thirty stories of urban ministry paved with gospel gladness. Enjoy!

First Book: It Don’t Get Any Better Than This

©Karla Gerard

Pull up a chair and sit a spell. In three dozen stories seasoned with warmth, humor, and tenderness, David Shirey introduces a cast of inimitable characters. Chet and his peculiar mandolin (“Them rattlesnake rattles make it sound better!”). Margaret, the feisty octogenarian pianist. Harry bolting for the men’s room mid-sermon. Miz Ella promising homemade banana cream pie from her deathbed. These stories transcending time and place will delight anyone who relishes a good tale told in tones of the gospel story. Tuck a napkin in your collar and pull up to the table. You’re in for a treat.    

“We couldn't put the book down.”

“Very addicting. I found myself saying, ‘I’ll just read one more story.’ Three stories later and I'm still reading.”

“This book is full of gems, stories that tug at my heart.”

About

David A. Shirey’s stories, slice-of-life vignettes, essays, and sermons ponder day-to-day life for glimpses of God’s redeeming grace.

He looks out at the world from his desk of curiosities under the canopy of a majestic maple.

A pastor for over forty years, he grew up a Buckeye, graduated a Hoosier, and now lives and writes in the Kentucky Bluegrass with the thoroughbreds, bourbon, and Big Blue Nation.

He and his wife Jennie have a son and two daughters, four grandchildren, and cherished friendships from across their life together.

Pastor David A. Shirey

John Lynner Peterson

David A. Shirey at his writing desk

John Lynner Peterson

Writings
“Twelve Stamps and a Bottle of Metamucil”
“Twelve Stamps and a Bottle of Metamucil”

Preachers need to be careful about what we say from the pulpit. Sometimes what we say comes back to haunt us. It’s God’s not-so-subtle way of holding our feet to the gospel fire – making sure we’re actually practicing what we preach and not just “preachin.’”

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Remembering Ross
Remembering Ross

Thank you, Ross, for reminding me of something very important – that it will keep going. Life, that is. Life will keep on going for those we love who die and for those of us who remain. Life will keep going. Death and grief, tragedy and suffering, a topsy-turvy world – all can leave us wondering if life really will keep going.

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Kitty Hawk
Kitty Hawk

Like the Wright brothers’ first flights, I had made three identifiable leaps forward in my life of faith. From the boulder that marked my taking-off point – the day of my baptism – I counted three moments that marked measurable advances in my journey of faith.

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Writings

Sermons

Sermons
“The Church Has the Power”
“The Church Has the Power”

I thought about doing a special promotion for today. It would have been interesting to run an ad in the Coloradoan and on our Facebook and Instagram pages reading: Free dynamite! Persons attending worship this Sunday at Heart of the Rockies Christian Church will be handed free sticks of dynamite. Children and youth are especially encouraged to attend and receive a stick to take home with them.

View the video of this sermon. Sermon begins at 28:23.

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"Beloved"
"Beloved"

Is there any belief more central to the Christian faith than the belief that God loves each and every one of us unconditionally – that we are each beloved in God's eyes? Augustine said, "God loves each one of us as if there was only one of us to love." Or as someone else said, “If God has a refrigerator, your picture is on it.” Graduates, if you remember only one thing you’ve heard growing up at Heart of the Rockies, remember that you’re beloved.

View the video of this sermon. Sermon begins at 30:13

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“You Might be a Disciple”
“You Might be a Disciple”

I thought of Jeff Foxworthy this week as I pondered the identifying characteristics of the larger church family into which Heart of the Rockies was born 32 years ago. Just as children grow up with a resemblance to their parents, Heart of the Rockies grew up with the distinguishing characteristics of our parent denomination. So, I thought I’d name the characteristics of Disciples of Christ in Jeff Foxworthy fashion by saying, “You might be a Disciple if…”

View the video of this sermon

Sermon begins at 28:10

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“All Things New”
“All Things New”

John wrote and I quote: “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” Got that? It all ends with heaven coming down to earth. We often speak of “going to heaven,”  departing from “down here” and going to a better place “up there.”  But John sees the end and sees “the Holy City... coming down out of heaven from God.” “Up there” is coming “down here.”

Watch the video of this sermon. Sermon begins at 29:12.

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A Few Good Words - Civility

The themes of A Few Good Words and Just For Fun (below) underscore the theme of the essay in my biweekly newsletter column. Subscribe above. Free, of course.

  • “Aspire to decency. Practice civility toward one another. Admire and emulate ethical behavior wherever you find it. Apply a rigid standard of morality to your lives; and if, periodically, you fail – as you surely will – adjust your lives, not the standards.”

    Ted Koppel

  • “Civility is not what we do because we agree with one another. It is what we do because we belong to one another.”

    Diane Kalen-Sukra

  • “Civility is more than good manners. It is a recognition that violent speech leads to violent deeds; that listening respectfully to your opponents is a necessary part of the politics of a free society; and that liberal democracy, predicated as it is on the dignity of diversity, must keep the peace between contending groups by honouring us all equally, in both our diversity and our commonalities. All politics is about the pursuit of power, but liberal democratic politics carries with it a special responsibility to use that power for the dignity of each and the good of all.”

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

  • "I know no religion that destroys courtesy, civility, and kindness."

    William Penn


Just for Fun - Manners

The themes of A Few Good Words and Just For Fun (below) underscore the theme of the essay in my biweekly newsletter column. Subscribe above. Free, of course.