Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry

Devotion: Spring Cleaning of the Heart (His Encouragement)

I was the only one short enough to fit into the tiny crawl space. All the random items reminded me of the futility of storing up earthly treasures. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”… Continue reading Devotion: Spring Cleaning of the Heart (His Encouragement)

Ministry, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes

Summary of John Wesley’s Sermon, “Almost Christian”

I wrote the following summary of “The Almost Christian,” for a class I am currently teaching. I encourage you to read the original, but I understand that many people find Wesley’s language to be somewhat antiquated.  Writing this summary was fun, and I wanted to share it with anyone who might be interested.  I hope you enjoy it and that it brings you closer to God! Wesley is my favorite theologian.

Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry

What can a cactus teach us about the resurrection? The Christmas-Easter Cactus (His Encouragement)

I thought my Christmas cactus was dead, but it bloomed unexpectedly. My Christmas cactus became an Easter cactus! Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.John 20:18, NIV I thought my cactus was dead-- but I was mistaken. Good… Continue reading What can a cactus teach us about the resurrection? The Christmas-Easter Cactus (His Encouragement)

Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Sermons & Sermon Notes

Failure and Forgiveness: What Can Holy Thursday Teach Us?

A towel and some dirty water. These humble objects are the symbolic signs of what it means to serve Christ and love one another. --Mary Louise Bringle, Feasting on the Word, Year B Can you think of a time in your life when you were sick and needed someone to take care of you? Can… Continue reading Failure and Forgiveness: What Can Holy Thursday Teach Us?

Ministry, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Writing

Did you know there were two parades on Palm Sunday?

But while Jesus was entering the city from the East, Pilate, the governor of Judea, was marching into the city from the West. He would have marched in with full military might. His parade was a show of force to remind the people of Jerusalem that Rome was in charge.

Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry

Fun Facts About Women of the Bible (His Encouragement)

Did you know that Mary Magdalene was one of the first people to preach about the resurrection? Her story inspires me. Scripture: Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:18, NIVJohn 20:18, NIV Image shows a person… Continue reading Fun Facts About Women of the Bible (His Encouragement)

Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Ministry, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes

The Theology of John Wesley: Online Course, Donations to Benefit Disability Ministries of the UMC

The course is free, but in exchange, please consider making a donation to the Disability Ministries Committee of the United Methodist Church (Advance #3021054) Introduction: My name is Rev. Rebecca L. Holland. I am an author and ordained elder serving in the Susquehanna Conference of the UMC. Recently, I was honored to be asked to… Continue reading The Theology of John Wesley: Online Course, Donations to Benefit Disability Ministries of the UMC

Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry, Writing

I got a typewriter! Typewriters and Faith (His Encouragement)

This post is part of a weekly series entitled "His Encouragement." Each Thursday, some fellow Christian blogging friends and I share the scripture verses that are encouraging us as we journey through the week together. “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8 Image shows… Continue reading I got a typewriter! Typewriters and Faith (His Encouragement)

Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes

A Prayer for Peace and the Hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth” UMH #431

A Prayer for Peace after Witnessing the Acts of Violence on the Feast of Epiphany (His Encouragement) On Thursdays, I usually share posts in which I talk about what Bible Verse is inspiring me during that point in my week. Often, these brief meditations turn into the seeds of future sermons or writing projects. I… Continue reading A Prayer for Peace and the Hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth” UMH #431