“We are all of equal worth, born equal in dignity and born free, and for this reason deserving of respect whatever our external circumstances. We are created freely for freedom. . .We belong in a world whose very structure, whose essence, is diversity, almost bewildering in extent.” ~Desmond Tutu A friend from another city recently…
“I shall not despair. I shall not allow the events of my life to make me their prisoner. I shall believe that life has much more to it than experience disclosed to me. I shall continually believe that God is not through, not merely with life, but with me. I shall co-operate with God until…
In human relationships, waiting can signal many different things. It can be a way to show respect and support for an elder. It can invite engagement in prayer and contemplation. It can communicate perseverance through 15 minutes cuing to buy groceries while social distancing, or for 4 hours to exercise the right to vote. Waiting…
“The peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe.” ~Philippians 4:7 Have your habits changed during the pandemic? Some report an increase in binge watching, junk food snacking, and disrupted sleep patterns. Sometimes unhealthy habits have a way of sneaking in, no effort required. However, it takes effort to…
“Beloveds, I do not consider that I have made it on my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal.” (Philippians 3:13-14, New Revised standard Version, alt.) At MCCDC we are determined to live our values and build community.…
“God is here. In the midst of life, breaking through the commonplace, glorifying the ordinary, the Great, High God is near. One should tread the earth with a deeply lying awe and reverence—God is in this place.” ~Howard Thurman, “Barren or Fruitful?” (1932), as recorded in his book A Strange Freedom. How does one move…
“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…
