Good Morning Friends, Today we consider the beginning of the Advent season this coming Sunday and the scripture selections from the lectionary for this time in the worship year. We consider the nearly 1700-year history of practice of what we experience in our worship year just begun. More specifically we, in our stewardship season, consider … Continue reading Is The Holy Spirit Might in the Mite Conceiving In Us A Dream Pleasing To God For The New Liturgical Year? →

Good Morning Friends,  Today we have examples of both Jesus and John weeping.  I think their tears like ours are designed to soften hearts and give us a better ability to grieve and even be open to hurt and wounding that in time might become a source of healing for others. You see, being open … Continue reading How Do We Prepare To Shed A Credible Tear For What Must Come? →

Good Morning Friends,  There is a lot of social change going on in Florida now. Oh, we still have our snowbirds but the real change I think is coming from the people who are putting down spiritual roots here. There are lots of challenges with being part of a Florida Church but one of the greatest … Continue reading Do You Know What You Want For The Church? →

Good Morning Friends, Parting with money can be a very troubling experience for those addicted to it. But in the end, you cannot take it with you, and neither can I. Getting joy out of making money and even saving it is more readily processed. However, giving money away can be very pleasurable too. Do You … Continue reading Do You Understand The Process Of Planting Seeds For Cheerful Giving? →

Good Morning Friends, People like to remember happy times and significant events. Memories are precious; they keep us connected to people, places, and events that have shaped us and influenced our lives. We may wish we could forget some things, but even life’s unpleasantries like war can offer lasting lessons learned through adversity. At the … Continue reading Why Not Substitute The Transformative Truth And Love Of Christ Into Our Memories? →

Good Morning Friends, Over the years  I have had to learn not to judge people on how much they give but to rejoice that they give at all. I have discovered that it is God working in their lives that determines their generosity more than my actions. Learning this became for me a very liberating lesson about the true motivations of benevolence, greed and … Continue reading Have You Learned The Joy Of Giving? →

Good Morning Friends, God’s power reveals what is inside a person and a person is judged on that against the will of God. It is not something you can figure out and earn as an act of service. It must be out of love as an act of faith though the Grace of God connected … Continue reading Are We Praying For God’s Purpose Of The End Game To Be Revealed In Our Lives? →

Good Morning Friends, Well maybe God does not change, but we do and sometimes that is a very good thing for it is in the character of God to be merciful. And we do so need mercy. But do not think for a moment that you or I have this figured out even when we … Continue reading How Do We Nurture A Heart Of Mercy And Hope In A Topsy-Turvy World? →

Good Morning Friends, The disasters in the news and that some of us experienced firsthand over the last few years have helped me to realize in a deeper way that my life is on loan from God and so each moment is something to bring joy. It also reminded me that hoarding joy is pointless … Continue reading Are You Rich Toward God? →

Good Morning Friends, The first missionaries in the Bible had it tough. Scripture says they were being sent out like sheep among wolves first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. One might think it reasonable to throw in the towel and call it quits but Jesus did not quit, and Paul was not … Continue reading Why Would We Turn Our Back On Jesus When The World Needs The Sanity He Offers Now? →