Stories change how we see the world. A good movie can shift our perspective, revealing possibilities we never imagined. In “How to Train Your Dragon,” a young Viking named Hiccup discovers everything his village believed about dragons was wrong. These weren’t mindless monsters but intelligent creatures capable of friendship and loyalty. The film resonates because […]
Picture this: You’re at a family reunion, catching up with relatives you haven’t seen in years. As you share stories, you realize how many of you ended up somewhere completely different than you planned. Maybe you’re living in a town you never meant to stay in. Maybe you’re in a job that was supposed to […]
Stories grab our attention because they show us truths about ourselves that plain facts often miss. This afternoon marks the final performance of the McPherson Community Theater’s production of “Chicago” at the McPherson Opera House—a Jazz Age musical that’s entertained audiences for nearly fifty years. Today, we’ll explore how this Tony Award-winning show reveals timeless […]
There’s something captivating about a good performance. The lights dim, the music swells, and suddenly we’re transported into someone else’s story. For nearly 50 years, audiences have experienced the dazzling world of “Chicago: The Musical,” currently performed by our own McPherson Community Theatre. This Tony Award-winning show continues to pack theaters because it brilliantly reveals […]
The first day of June puts us right between seasons. Around McPherson, we see the signs – graduation ceremonies just finished, swimming pools ready to open, and colorful gardens blooming while farmers watch their crops grow. Many of us feel pulled between wrapping up spring activities and starting summer plans. Think about times in your […]
Spring in Kansas brings storm season, when dark clouds gather and warning sirens test our readiness. Many of us know that feeling when the sky turns eerily green, signaling it’s time to seek shelter or watch from the porch – depending on your strategy. Consider moments when you’ve faced a different kind of storm – […]
There’s something deeply hopeful about this morning’s soaking rain after our long dry spell. We’ve just experienced the 9th driest March on record over the past 131 years, with rainfall over 1.6 inches below normal. In fact, this has been the 15th driest year to date, with precipitation more than two inches below what we […]
As spring fully awakens around us, many of us feel caught in a season of contrasts. The landscape transforms before our eyes – daffodils have pushed through soil once frozen, trees exchange winter bareness for delicate buds, and warmer breezes replace winter’s chill. Yet while nature embraces renewal, many of us might still carry burdens […]
As April arrives, basketball fans across the country have their eyes fixed upward – watching shots arc toward the basket, players jumping for rebounds, and championship celebrations with confetti falling from arena ceilings. Is One Shining Moment your favorite part of the tournament? This Final Four weekend, millions witness stories of persistence, unexpected heroes, and […]
Spring break has wrapped up, and many of us are settling back into our routines. You might have just returned from a family trip, catching up on accumulated emails, or simply enjoyed a quieter week at home. Regardless, there’s something about returning—the familiarity of your own bed, the comfort of regular routines, the sense of […]
Late February brings the first whispers of spring approaching. With temperatures warming and ice beginning to melt, we feel a subtle shift in the air – a promise of renewal. Yet in this season of transition, many of us still carry winter’s restlessness. The novelty of New Year’s resolutions has worn off, and we might […]
As the decorations come down and resolutions fade, mid-January often feels like returning to earth after the holiday season’s heightened moments. Perhaps you’ve noticed how quickly our ambitious New Year’s commitments meet reality’s gravity. The gym crowds thin out, the healthy recipes get more creative with “substitutions,” and those meditation apps send increasingly hopeful notifications. […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 