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.
When we bake bread, we follow a recipe. If we follow the recipe to the best of our ability, we will end up with something delicious and nourishing. In the same way, God gave us a recipe for Holy Living. In the Holy Bible, we can find instructions for how to experience live a good life that will bring us closer to God. When we follow these instructions, even if we expereience hard times in life, we The recipe that God gives us for a good life can be found in Exodus is known as the Ten Commandments.
Our church family has people of all ages and ability levels. Some were children, some of us were a little bit older, and some of us were anywhere in-between. Everyone was able to find a job that they were able to do. Some people were also visually impaired like myself (A friendly reminder: Please do not pet service dogs when they are working).
By the time we were done, we had given away 1,727 gallons of milk. It was a truly beautiful thing. We had given away almost 400 gallons of milk an hour!
Essentially, the sower goes outside, throws seeds everywhere—and instead of ending up with nothing, he ends up with bushels of tomatoes, tons of zucchini, and countless bouquets of flowers.
Many of us have complicated relationships with our father's. The first week of July will mark almost exactly one year since my father passed away. I mourn the loss of the many years I wanted to spend getting to know him. This Father's Day, I am holding everyone who has lost a parent in prayer.
When my heart is heavy, I often find solace in the Psalms. This week, I have found particular comfort in Psalm 93.
When people look at me, they can see the face of my mother and my grandmother. The family resemblance is clear. In many ways, I am reflection of her.
I hope that I am also a reflection of my Heavenly Father. I pray that by the way I live my life and by the actions that I take, people will also be able to see the love of God reflected in me.
The trinity is like a dance— the flames of the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer are perpetually in motion. In this dark world, we especially need flames of hope dancing in the darkness.
