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)
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?
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.
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)
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
invite you to join with me in trying a different kind of fast this Lent: Let’s give up hate, fear, anger, judging others based on their appearance, and hurtful words
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)
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
As the story opens, ten bridesmaids set forth into the darkened city to go get the groom. They bring along with them their “little clay lamps” which they carry carefully in their hands to light their way. Five of them have brought with them extra oil, but five foolish ones did not bring anything extra.
The ancient Roman philosophers taught us to remember that we will all experience death. Christ offers us the hope that death is not the end.
Rev. Rebecca Writes 