A New Place

We have often heard or used the saying we are “between a rock and a hard place”. It is usually a time of conflict or challenge that we are trying to get through. We have these times as individuals and as a community of faith. We feel pressured, hemmed in, walls closing in on us, … Read more

We Are One in Christ

All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There isneither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for youare all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3.27-28 In the hymn In Unity We Lift Our Song, the first verse declares: “In unity we … Read more

Discipleship and Resurrection Living

As we continue our Lenten journey moving to the glorious day of resurrection, it is a time for continued reflection on our personal and communal lives. How are we living into being disciples of Jesus Christ? What does it look like to revel in resurrection living and bring that hope and joy into the world? … Read more

A Whole New Year of Gratitude

The idea of having an “attitude of gratitude” has been around for a while. It’s biblical! In 1 Thessalonians 5.16-21 (CEB) we hear: 6 Rejoice always. 17 Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t suppress the Spirit. 20 Don’t brush off the Spirit-inspired … Read more

Ushering in a New Way and a New Day

Christmas is coming! The stores are filled with Christmas displays and the Hallmark channel started showing Christmas movies weeks before Halloween. Black Friday sneak peeks have already started. Predictions for holiday spending are in the billions or trillions, depending on whose report you read. For Christians, our hearts are turned toward exclaiming Jesus Christ is … Read more

Supremely Good

In Genesis 1, “God said” and humans and all of creation receive life from the very hand and voice of God. God declares that creation is “supremely good” (CEB). All of creation is therefore part and parcel “of God” and as Christians we are called to be that supreme goodness to the world. In recent … Read more

Lighthouses

Some of my favorite places to visit are lighthouses. They have always held a certain fascination for me. Perhaps it is the idea of a light in the midst of a storm or a constant light to guide ships safely to shore. They also come in an endless variety of sizes and shapes, but always … Read more

Being an Oasis Church

The United Methodist Church (UMC) is in a challenging time and some churches are choosing to end their affiliation with the UMC. As we experience this conflict, there are brothers and sisters who desire to remain Methodist but whose church has disaffiliated. Chapel UMC (CUMC) has decided to be an Oasis Church that welcomes those … Read more

Perseverance and Perspective

It’s the Lenten season. It’s a time to take time to examine our hearts to see where we have become separated from God. A time to create space for grace to enter in and allow the Spirit to renew, restore and direct our lives. It takes perseverance and intentionality to gain perspective. As Christ followers, … Read more