Tag: prayer

We’ve Come This Far by Faith

This is the title of one of my favorite Gospel hymns. The words of this song are a tribute to our Lord’s dedication to our lives and to our welfare.  This past weekend as I watched documentaries covering the events of September 11, 2001, and what we have learned in the two decades since, I… Continue Reading We’ve Come This Far by Faith

The Eternal Flame

Chuck Knows Church is one of my favorite United Methodist productions.  There are over 100 videos that cover a wide range of topics.  I have shown a couple of videos to Confirmation and New Member classes.  Chuck has a wonderful way of describing how what we do and say as United Methodists has a rich… Continue Reading The Eternal Flame

Sanctifying Grace

One of my favorite hobbies is reading epic fantasy novels.  The first one I was introduced to was J. R. R. Tolkien’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series, followed by Terry Brooks’ Shannara series.  When I graduated from high school someone gave me C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia (not the Disney version).  There… Continue Reading Sanctifying Grace

Plans Interfere with Life

I have often shared the opposite with people: Life interferes with plans. My to-do list constantly changes as I respond to an unexpected phone call, email, or an unplanned issue that has arisen. I have also come to realize that plans interfere with life. Several years ago, before Disney granted access to all visitors, a… Continue Reading Plans Interfere with Life

I know I’m Forgetting Something

There are skills that, once we learn them, we take for granted.  I have been actively crocheting for about 15 years now.  I don’t think about the stitches I work as I create blankets, shawls, and other crafts unless I am following a new pattern.  Luckily for me, I can go to YouTube and watch… Continue Reading I know I’m Forgetting Something

Dog Days

We have a lot of metaphors about the passage of time.  As we enter the month of August, I feel as if this summer has flown by. It seems as if I was sitting at the services of Recognition, Commissioning, and Ordination just a few days ago, rather than two months ago.  I think the… Continue Reading Dog Days

Selfies

As I was traveling in the car the other day, I was listening to a comedian who raised a question that has stuck with me.  In his Correct Angles set, Vir Das began talking about selfies.  He observed that when people took pictures of themselves, they were better than when the camera (phone) was passed… Continue Reading Selfies

Greatness

When I was in high school my English teacher explained that there were some words in the language which were overused.  She never wanted us to use “nice” or “like,” encouraging us to find synonyms instead.  My teacher believed that constant use of these words made them fillers, diluting the intended meaning. To this day,… Continue Reading Greatness

Shabbat

Just breathe.  Every so often I remember to do this.  It’s not like my body doesn’t breathe automatically.  However, there are moments when I feel the weight of what is unfolding in our lives, our churches, and our nation, and I say these words to myself.  In the midst of all that I do, just… Continue Reading Shabbat

Psalm 137: 4

Last weekend we gathered for only the third time as the Michigan Annual Conference.  In his remarks, Bishop Bard reminded us that we have met twice virtually, and only once in person.  I don’t want to say that we are adapting to online gatherings.  However, this year’s Conference was closer to what has been our… Continue Reading Psalm 137: 4