I love to read. This year I read 90 books from a variety of genres, including memoir, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and theology. Lots of them were great, but these were some of my favorites that I highly recommend. What was the best book you read this year
Merry Christmas! It's cold and icy outside, so I know many people won't be able to join us for worship. I humbly offer this Christmas Eve sermon to anyone who might enjoy reading it. It's not the same as being in church, but hopefully it is a Word of Comfort, Joy, and Good News.
Can our experience of the sorrow caused by necessary social distancing help us identify with the pain and isolation of the woman Jesus healed from bleeding? Mark 5:24-29, NIV A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a… Continue reading I wonder if she was lonely? Thoughts on Mark 5:21-43 and the woman who was healed from bleeding
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)
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.
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.
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
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.
Rev. Rebecca Writes 