When I was growing up, my brothers and I had a knack for getting into trouble. We were always rolling around like a pack of puppies and inevitably one of us would run into the house crying and bleeding. But my parents had a way with dealing with us and parental disappointment in our family. … [Read more…]
The greatest thing that anyone can do in life is to do something kind for someone else. We have probably all experienced the healing powers of the kindness of family and strangers. This past week, I was at the grocery store picking up a few things. I thought that I really didn’t even need a … [Read more…]
The easiest time to have faith is when life is going as we would like it to go when everyone is healthy, happy, and we are successful. This is when we feel the graces of God the strongest. The hardest time to have faith is when everything is going wrong and life is just one … [Read more…]
When you imagine Jesus, what does Jesus look like, what does he act like? (Let Congregation answer) I often imagine this well spoken man, a brave man, not the poorest of the poor but not wealthy. I tend to imagine Jesus very much being like me. I imagine him as the ultimate comforter and these … [Read more…]
When we think of change: whether it is in the world, our careers, or our personal lives, what comes to your minds? Change can be exciting but it can also be a time full of anxiety and dread for many. Change can be frightening because we can’t always predict what will come next or how … [Read more…]
I have often been asked, “Why do you believe in God?”, or “How can you believe in a God that allows for people to be abused?”. I have been asked this by friends and family members alike. These questions haunt me in the middle of the night, as I worry about the masses of people … [Read more…]
When you think of hospitality and welcome, what words come to mind? What images come to mind? I think as Christians we don’t spend nearly enough time contemplating the importance of hospitality in our world, in our lives, and in our experiences. We all know what it feels like to be truly welcomed and on … [Read more…]
What says Easter to you? (Sharing) What should Easter look like? What defines Easter to you? If you had asked me as a child what Easter was about I would have said well it is about the Easter bunny and his cousin the Easter Chicken. There was always an Easter Chicken at our church … [Read more…]
Seasons of change are perhaps some of the hardest times in our lives. Change can be good but change can also bring about hardships and sadness as well. Change can build us up and it can tear us down. I think what is so hard about change is the unpredictability of it. Now I don’t … [Read more…]
We all make snap judgments all the time. We have to. Otherwise, it would take all day to make it from bed to work. The other morning my alarm went off and I had to make a judgment call to push snooze or go exercise. Then looking outside and seeing the ice all over everything … [Read more…]
