Confession: I sometimes like to walk through cemeteries for fun. Especially old, historical cemeteries. So on my recent trip to Puerto Rico, I decided to walk through the historic cemetery in San Juan that overlooked the ocean. It was beautiful and peaceful. I walked around imagining the stories of the people there and wondered about all the ways we are …
Luke 24:1-2 1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body. In one of the worship services on Sunday I rhetorically asked the age old Georgia …
2nd John 1:12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. I love the way the author of 2nd John ends his letter. He’s writing a letter. He knows there are …
Luke 13:29 Then people will come from east and west, from north and southand will eat in the kingdom of God. This passage comes out of a portion of Luke that begins with a person asking Jesus this question while He is on his way to Jerusalem, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” It’s a question that sounds like …
Lamentations 3:22-23:(Seriously, Lamentations?) The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I have apprehension whenever I flip the calendar from January to February. For the longest time, I didn’t really know why. I thought perhaps it’s because both our daughter and son have their birthdays …
We are wrapping up our “GO” message series this week. In his recent sermon, Pastor Mark challenged us to take small steps from comfort toward discomfort as we move out to serve Christ in the world. (You can listen to previous sermons on our YouTube page – youtube.com/PeachtreeCityUMC). I appreciate the image of small steps from the familiar into the …
Exodus 20:8: 8Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Regardless of what you were planning to do when the snow flakes came, all our plans got disrupted. For me personally, the disruption touched my worship rhythm of life. Put another way, it messed up my anticipated rhythm of honoring God’s Sabbath. Oh yes, we still worshipped at 9:30 am …
Paul begins to wrap up his letter to the Christians in Corinth this way: 1st Corinthians 16:5-8: I will visit you after passing through Macedonia—for I intend to pass through Macedonia—and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way, wherever I go. I do not want to see …
Paul writes these words to the Christians in Corinth – and to us:2nd Corinthians 9:11-12:11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. He was imploring them to …
Matthew 2:10 NRSVWhen they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Yes, it is a new year – but it also comes with a big question mark – doesn’t it? Many are asking, “is it really a new year, because it feels very much like an old one?” And then there is the anniversary of January …
