I have continued to ponder Phyllis Tickles’ thesis on the 500-year-cycle of transformation of the church….This interview with British sociological academic Linda Woodhead, specialising in the sociology of religion, gives some insights into the last century...
When Bill and I moved to our present home at Deerpoint Lake in 2005, the verse Psalm 4:8 was stenciled on the wall of the guest bedroom. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” It became a verse that...
Recently I have been meditating on the Lord’s “banquet” for his children. I had written about my gratitude and joy in being one of the passersby invited in to enjoy the feast after others had failed to respond to the King’s invitation. Once again today the thought...
After I announced on Facebook this week that I had been discontinued from provisional deacon status with The United Methodist Church people began responding. Some noted that God has something greater planned. As I responded, everyday having the opportunity to see...
This morning as I put gas in my car, I looked down and saw a penny on the ground by the door of my car. I smiled and picked it up. I had seen this story on the internet in the past and, as God would have it, when I got back to my office this morning a friend had sent...
For all of us who have lost beloved pets, this is a treasure! As the author noted, “We don’t know who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter department who understands.” “Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The...
Some mistake “peacekeeping” with “peacemaking”. When issues of disagreement are ignored and hurt is left to fester, the typical response is to slap a lid on it and bury the problem, ignoring the injured party’s pain. If that is done by...
Some things I have experienced in my faith journey I believe are because I have been given the spiritual gift of teaching. Those experiences are not part of my own gifting, but the Lord has let me experience them so that I may teach people about them more effectively,...
If you have ever faced long odds, been the underdog, or been afraid to move forward in faith, take a few minutes and read this from the Introduction to David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell: “But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the...
Seedbed posted a weblog by David Hull this week entitled “Perfectionism: The Glittering Demon”. Hull works within the Inspire Movement in the U.K. and the U.S. assisting local churches to develop and implement the vision and practice of robust Wesleyan-style...
