“I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you… for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self- discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:6-7 Have you ever been afraid? The answer is Yes. Fear is a common and real emotion.…
“Forgiveness is a process: a messy, non-linear, and often barbed process that can leave us feeling whole and liberated one minute, and bleeding out of every vein the next.” —Debi Thomas It is four days to Sunday and I am well aware that the message for Sunday is one of the most difficult I will…
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.” ~Isaiah 35:1-2 When I was pastoring at Richmond MCC the apartments across the street from the church burned. It was a beautiful, historical, well-landscaped…
“Pruning is necessary for shaping, for producing stronger growth, for getting rid of dead or diseased limbs. This process is a basic principle of horticulture. The cutting and trimming that seems so ruthless actually is invigorating and life producing. The result is more fruit, bigger blossoms.” —Sara Covin Juengst from Like a Garden: A Biblical…
Your love is extravagant. Your friendship, it is intimate. I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace Your fragrance is intoxicating in this place. Your love is extravagant. ~Casting Crowns As the summer winds down and school begins again, you may have been able to take the opportunity to think about your life…
Early in my life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise. You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless they have their freedom. ~Malcolm X Persist, Resist, Assist! What do the days of sheltering in place, haltingly attempting to return to in…
“…let us never forget that we are characters in a divine love song.” –Rev. James Burns When we fully live in the expansiveness of God’s love for us, we are free to live our best lives. In our loud and complex world, there are voices that threaten to reduce us. The voices of fear send…
“…someone wrestled with Jacob until the first light of dawn.”—Genesis 32:24 Where does one meet God? Though many tell of mystical experiences on mountaintops, God is often met in less lofty places. Mud is one of those places. Though we cherish meeting God during a sweet hour of prayer, sometimes the meeting is a wrestling…
“We ought to live each moment as if all eternity converged upon it.” ~H. N. Weiman Every Monday through Saturday at noon we share a moment of eternity. The noon prayer calls started on March 26, shortly after the stay at home order. Today we joined together for our 100th prayer call! Many during our…
“In each heart are both weeds and wheat, and we are not wise enough to know what, in fact, is what. Better to let God and the angels do their work.” –T. R. Steagald Though my gardening experience is limited, I think I have a pretty good eye for weeds. This time of year they…
