Confession of the Pastor’s Wife: Miracle vs. Magic There’s a certain glow that comes with Christmastime–a soft-focus lens on the world that is suddenly strung with warmly hued lights. The air seems suddenly scented with pine, and we all breathe a little fuller in the crisp cleanness of it. Carols ring around us, Bing Crosby’s … [Read more…]
Confessions of the Pastor’s Wife: Prickly Pears: The Judgment Dilemma A little while ago, my husband called me on his way home from church and told me that a good friend would be stopping by as he made his way through town. We live right off an Interstate highway in the middle of Missouri, so … [Read more…]
“Giving Thanks Faithfully” Thanksgiving is typically my favorite holiday. It involves some of my favorite food, spending time with family, and mostly relaxing (except for that whole preparing a big meal thing). Given that it’s my favorite holiday, I’m one of those people who grumbles as the whole idea of starting to celebrate Christmas … [Read more…]
“Enough” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I … [Read more…]
“I guess it’s that time” There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens …” Ecclesiastes 3:1 We don’t mind our house being cool, in fact, we actually enjoy a slightly chilly home. We try most years to put off turning on the furnace as long as we can. … [Read more…]
Confession of the Pastor’s Wife: Because God Doesn’t Do Redos …the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen and establish you.“ 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)\ Awhile ago, I was driving and praying. The car is often a sanctuary spot for me, … [Read more…]
“The Power of Silence” I’m finding myself at a loss for words, and the funny thing is it’s okay. The last thing I need is to be heard, but to hear what you would say. Word of God, speak. Would you pour down like rain, washing my eyes to see your majesty, to be still … [Read more…]
“Crossings That Matter” Last week I came across this message from our Bishop and it has been speaking to me ever since. I invite you to consider his words today. Blessings, Chris On September 4, 1771, Francis Asbury left Europe on a ship headed to America to join the new Methodist mission field of lay … [Read more…]
Knowing About vs Knowing “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive … [Read more…]
“Ambition” I came across this article by a retired pastor in our state, Rev. Carl Schenck, about the positives and negatives of ambition. I hope you are as blessed by it as I was. Blessings, Chris James 3:13-18; Mark 9:30-37 Ambition fuels human behavior. Many events in people’s lives are motivated by ambition. A shopkeeper … [Read more…]