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
Tag: sermon prep
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)
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.
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)
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.
Fasting from Angry Words (His Encouragement)
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
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
His Encouragement: Be Ready to Wait (The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids)
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.
A Meditation on the Feast of All Saints
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.
The Parable of the Sower (His Encouragement)
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.