Author Archives: Tom Bolton

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About Tom Bolton

I'm a Husband and Dad, a former Enterprise Systems Manager at the City of Milwaukee, and a Disciple and Lay Servant at First United Methodist of West Allis. As I study the Bible, sometimes I feel moved to work through my understanding by writing poetry. I also am continuing to learn in my dialysis experience and pursuit of a kidney transplant. Sometimes I just feel like writing about something that grabs my attention too.

http://ijboudreaux.com/2012/02/22/john-wesley-fast/

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Tom Bolton

http://ijboudreaux.com/2012/02/22/john-wesley-fast/ I often find in group meetings and classes with my Methodist brothers and sisters these day that there is not much awareness about John Wesley’s thoughts on fasting.  In fact, in my Today’s Disciples classes, when we start to … Continue reading →

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Like A Moth

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Tom Bolton

I wrote this while at a Faith Alive retreat at the Moravian Converence Center in Mt Morris, Wisconsin, in September 2011. We were contemplating thoughts involving inclusiveness, and looking for new thoughts (new to us individually) about theology. I have … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Missions

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Tom Bolton

I find over and over that my favorite mission experiences have been with smaller churches or smaller groups. I don’t mean to diss the activities of larger congregations or organizations. Certainly I connect with a number of the big ones. … Continue reading →

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New Life

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Tom Bolton

The Confirmation Class at West Allis First United Methodist Church is preparing worship for February 10, and the text will be on the Transfiguration. This has led me to start work on a new poem based on the Transfiguration. I … Continue reading →

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A Quick Bible Translation Guide

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Tom Bolton

http://www.cokesbury.com/FreeDownloads/BibleTransGuide.pdf This is a useful guide on Bible Translations, and I am sharing this link primarily for my friends at West Allis First United methodist. As you can see, this reference comes from Cokesbury, the United Methodist book-selling division.

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Small is Beautiful

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Tom Bolton

Small is Beautiful This is a great neighborhood mission, operated by a very small church. In a small building tucked away on a side street in Forrest City, Ark., Kynette United Methodist Church gathers each week. With an average worship … Continue reading →

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Cold Early Prayer

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Tom Bolton

Coffee long gone, cup dry-stained, and Frost etching across these thin-paned portals, We hear voices, poems clearly ascribed across years. Three o’clock high, and pain crushes his spirit, fragile bones dropping him to boyhood lost, and found. Will the sun … Continue reading →

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