Philip Gulley-My mother's father, Henry Quinett, was born in 1904 in Belgium, and with his family sailed on the Red Star boat line to America in 1909. They arrived at Ellis Island, where his name was changed from Henrí Quinét to Henry Quinett. Because my grandfather was never one to hurry a decision, he lived here thirty-one years before becoming a citizen in 1939. His citizenship papers are framed and hanging in my garage, above his workbench, next to his woodworking apron.

Philip Gulley-I've been thinking this week of Esau and Jacob. Some people have been thinking of Michael Phelps winning the gold in Beijing, or Bridget Sloan, our fellow Hendricks Countian, performing so ably and admirably. Some people have been thinking of the hostility between Georgia and Russia and the long history of Eastern European strife. Some people have been thinking of school and the summer winding to a close. There have been any number of things to think about this week, but I've been thinking about Esau and Jacob. That is so like a pastor. The world could be plunging into a global crisis, on the verge of World War III, and pastors would sit around and dwell upon minor Biblical characters from four thousand years ago.

Jim Mulholland-I've been preaching for twenty years now.  That means I've preached about a thousand sermons.  Over the years, I honed by skills and developed my style.  And I suspect my seminary preaching professor would not be happy with me.