inspiration
Rise Up - Rise Strong
Posted on: Monday, August 31, 2015
"We can't be brave in the big world without at least one small safe place to work through our fears and falls." This quote is from a book I am reading and hoping to have a group of us read and discuss this fall, Rising Strong, by Brene Brown.
» Read moreMaking a Difference Through Micah's Backpack
Posted on: Sunday, August 16, 2015
The young man said to Him, “All these commands I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. Come, follow Me.” ~Matthew 19:20
» Read morePastoral Reflections: Member, Consumer, Disciple
Posted on: Monday, August 3, 2015
I have been reflecting lately on the changing descriptions being used to describe our relationship to the Church. For many years, we referred to those within the church as ‘members’ implying that as a member there was certain built in understandings of what we were to expect. Similar to joining other organizations we were expected to pay our dues (offering in the church), attend meetings or events (worship), volunteer for events, and the like. As a m
» Read moreHe's My Dad
Posted on: Tuesday, June 23, 2015
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6) NKJV A pair of scientists and botanists were exploring in the Alps for some special kinds of flowers. One day they spied through their field glass, a flower of rare beauty...but it was in a ravine with perpendicular cliffs on both sides. Someone had to be lowered over the cliff to get it.
» Read moreMy Cup Overflows
Posted on: Wednesday, June 17, 2015
I usually think that “I’m a glass half full kinda girl”. However, these days my cup overflows. As I write this, we are preparing to travel to North Carolina for Mandy’s graduation and temporary move back home and within two weeks, we will be celebrating Andrew’s graduation as well as all the typical year-end celebratory events that go along with senior year. The fact is, my life has always been filled to the brim; it’s just that I didn’t always appreciate all the things that fill it.
» Read moreWhy Go to Church?
Posted on: Friday, May 29, 2015
The following was sent by a St. Mark’s member and we thought it had a good message: A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I've gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”
» Read moreKeep Your Eyes on Jesus
Posted on: Tuesday, May 19, 2015
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith ...”Hebrews 12:2 A quote that I recently read said, “Don’t minor in the majors and major in the minors.” I think we would all agree that this is a good principle; the problem is we often disagree on what is major and what is minor. So the real question is how do we decipher between the minor and the major? The answer, of course, is look to Jesus. When I look at the ministry of Jesus, I see someone who exemplified this...
» Read morePastoral Thoughts
Posted on: Wednesday, May 6, 2015
“While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering … You are witnesses of these things”Luke 24: 41a; 48
» Read moreThe Great Transformer
Posted on: Wednesday, March 25, 2015
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2) NKJV
» Read moreFitbit Spirituality
Posted on: Friday, March 20, 2015
Recently I bought a Fitbit Surge HR. It monitors my steps each day, my heart rate, my sleep habits, and stairs taken, among other fitness activity. It can tell me who is calling on my cell phone and wake me in the morning. I find it useful to motivate me to walk more and eat better. I am even in several groups where there are challenges and you can cheer for each other to attain goals.
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