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
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.
Scripture: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7) A Very Happy Birthday The current year has been a strange one, and yesterday brought us to the… Continue reading 32 Reasons to Be Thankful (His Encouragement)
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.
Experiencing the Holy Spirit is like experiencing a tornado. When the Holy Spirit blows through our lives, the experience changes us forever. It can change who are as human beings, it can change the church, and it can change the world.
The story of Lazarus offers comfort to all of those who mourn. We are all mourning something right now, but we will all get through this together. Although we cannot physically gather, I encourage you to lift your hearts with me every day in prayer for five minutes at five in the afternoon. The church is not a building, it is a people. Let us be a people united in prayer.
