First Church has been exploring the series “Unraveled: Seeking God When Our Plans Fall Apart” since Sunday June 16th. This worship series comes from Sanctified Art. Every Sunday we will explore a Bible passage, art image, and our experiences of unraveling and weaving. Accompanying devotional books and bookmarks (outlining the order of topics) are available… Continue reading Unraveled: Seeking God When Our Plans Fall Apart
Category: Prayer
Prayer: Tuning In Activities
Sunday we talked about the many ways to pray. Often, we are very good at talking, or making requests, but not so good at listening.Here are some ways to practice tuning in to God: As a family: Take a walk, a hike or just find a comfortable place to sit outdoors with the idea of… Continue reading Prayer: Tuning In Activities
Why I want to be a player in the cosmic drama
In the midst of teetering economies, droughts in Africa, and the grief stricken city of Oslo, we may wonder how we as Christians can contribute anything of significance in God’s cosmic plans for the earth. How can Pastor Harry’s suggestion of focusing 400 hours even begin to make a dent? And yet, I am reminded… Continue reading Why I want to be a player in the cosmic drama
For all my pastor friends and colleagues out there…
God… what makes people like ourselves follow this strange sensation we describe as “call” how is it these resilient seeds find a way to sprout even in the most hostile environment? we marvel as we watch others like ourselves plunge into the deep waters… of church and ministry with eyes wide open and sometimes not… Continue reading For all my pastor friends and colleagues out there…
It’s Monday
It’s Monday… the festivities of Easter have come and gone… we remembered together the significance of Christ’s resurrection… we sang Hallelujah’s and feasted our eyes upon majestic colors and easter flowers… our ears are still ringing with resurrection songs… but what difference will it make today? This was the topic of the yesterday’s sermon… what does… Continue reading It’s Monday
worshiping a God who engages all of our senses…
As I read in Exodus this morning, I was struck with the details that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai for constructing the Tent of Meeting. He included a variety of woods, jewels, gold, purple yarns and colored fabrics … worship was to be a sensory feast. There were to be spices and oils to engage… Continue reading worshiping a God who engages all of our senses…
Listen for the whisper
There are some of us that worry… I happen to be one of those. It is not a trait that I am proud of especially since Jesus seems to say over and over to his disciples, “Do not worry”. Sometimes, my mind is so busy working through the possible outcomes of each day and each… Continue reading Listen for the whisper
some thoughts on relinquishing
A few years ago, I found myself going through a very dry time in my ministry. I found myself feeling tired, burnout, uncreative, and a little calloused. I was scheduled to spend a weekend at a local retreat center for prayer and reflection… this was not what I wanted to do… I really didn’t want… Continue reading some thoughts on relinquishing
Three practices that can help us through a dark night experience
I remember a particularly difficult time in Italy when Harry and I were the janitors, the building and grounds committee, the Sunday school teachers, the nursery, the counselors, teachers and preachers for the small community of new believers that were being formed at Termini Immerse, Italy. (Talk about an overwhelming job description!) I had three… Continue reading Three practices that can help us through a dark night experience
When the going gets tough
I think that we as Christians skip over the immense pain and suffering that Jesus experienced the week leading up to his death. Though there are many stories in between, we tend to move from the shouting Hosannas in church on Palm Sunday to the Hallelujahs of his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Yes, many of us do… Continue reading When the going gets tough