Category Archives: Uncategorized
The First Sunrise Service
[Sermon from sunrise service at Avenue United Methodist Church on April 20, 2025] This morning, you intentionally decided to get up, get dressed, and come to church. We don’t usually hold 6:15 a.m. worship services. Why did you come this … Continue reading
Formed By Love
“Love is the acid test of spiritual formation.”-John Mark Comer Spiritual formation is the act of allowing God to shape us so that our lives look like the life of Jesus. Spiritual formation does not miraculously happen. It takes place … Continue reading
Celebrating Those Who Pass Along the Faith
Sunday is Mother’s Day, and the Bible is filled with stories of women essential to the Gospel. Jesus’ genealogy contains the names of five women central to his story and mission: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Mary Magdalene was … Continue reading
Advent Devotions (Day 8) | Peace
The post below is something that I wrote back in 2018 on here on the blog. I wrote it as something to be read while our congregation would light our Advent Candles. This past Sunday, we lit the candle of … Continue reading
Advent Devotions (Day 7) | A Strong Tower
From the ends of the earth I call to you,I call as my heart grows faint;lead me to the rock that is higher than I.3 For you have been my refuge,a strong tower against the foe[1] Read Psalm 46 and 61 … Continue reading
ADVENT DEVOTIONS DAY 3 | Turn Your But Around
“In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before … Continue reading
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL (Day 2) | God Is There
“Where can I go from your Spirit?Where can I flee your presence?If I go up to the heavens, you are there;If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”Psalm 139:7-8 Read | Psalm 139:7-12, Jonah 1-4 Can I … Continue reading
The Work of the Holy Spirit
Imagine that you’ve decided to go sailing. The problem is that you know next to nothing about sailing. So you go to the store and purchase several books to find out what’s involved. You carefully read them, and then you … Continue reading
A Heart of Flesh
In the fantasy series A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin, there is a character named Cately Stark who loses most of her family to the violence of another family. Catelyn, and her son both died … Continue reading
Finding Our Own India (or Guatemala)
I read the book The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne when it came out nearly 20 years ago. Shane grew up in Appalachia, went to college at Eastern University in Philadelphia, and currently lives and serves in the city. He has … Continue reading
Exiled Community 