Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Ministry, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry, Writing

I wonder if she was lonely? Thoughts on Mark 5:21-43 and the woman who was healed from bleeding

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

Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry

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)

Ministry, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes

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.

Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry

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)

Ministry, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Writing

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.

Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes

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

Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes

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.