I came across an article written by Aisha Ahmad, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, where she addresses being at the 6-month mark of the pandemic shutdown and how to survive through it. She refers to this 6 month mark as hitting the 6-month wall. She says, “…any sustained crisis is always difficult” and there comes a time when you may feel like you aren’t making progress or that the end will never be in sight. She encourages us…
America the land of the free. A land of dreams and opportunity. These are two saying I remember hearing and being taught while growing up. I was also taught to recite the Pledge of Allegiance: Ipledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justicefor all.I am saddened that I cannot hold this declaration, this pledge, to be true for America. The…
Last month I shared inspirational quotes that help to positively influence the times of which we are living in. This month I want to offer you scripture that can absolutely change the way we are living through this time. I had the pleasure of attending a webinar of some ethnic United Methodist Bishops and they shared such scriptures. May the word of God bless you abundantly. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and…
In this difficult time here are some inspirational quotes to uplift you. Mosaics are made from broken pieces, but they’re still a work of art. And so are you. Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is suppose to look like, and celebrating it for everything that it is. (Mandy Hale) It’s not, what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. (Henry David Thoreau) Heroes are made made by the paths they choose not by…
Have you ever felt like you could not breathe? Like it was difficult to take the next breath? Without breathing one dies. Period. I have a child who has asthma and has had difficulty breathing at times. In those times help is needed to relax and open the airway to allow oxygen to flow in and out of her lungs. The expression on her face and failing strength as her body succumbs to the exertion. It is difficult to witness…
This has been our new vision statement for the last year. As we are striving to live into this vision it has taken on new meaning in this time of living with Covid-19 and physical distancing. The coined term is social distancing, but I like to think of it as physical distancing and not social distancing. I believe in this time more than ever we need to find ways to be social with one another while physically distancing from others…
This Easter I invite you to focus on the CROSS. Not to focus on it as the tool used to crucify Christ as was the case. Rather focus on the cross as the mechanism of transformation and hope. Reflecting upon the cross that held our Savior’s body as a holy symbol of what Christ did for us offers one a holy reverence and encouragement to be better and do better. I share with you Easter hymns that reflect the cross…
In getting ready for the season of Lent, I offered this blessing of the dust at our Ash Wednesday service: BLESSING THE DUST All those days you felt like dust, like dirt, as if all you had to do was turn your face toward the wind and be scattered to the four corners or swept away by the smallest breath as insubstantial—did you not know what the Holy One can do with dust? This is the day we freely say…
A few Sunday’s I shared this in worship as I came across it during my week. It is a quote by Richard Rohr who is an American author, spiritual writer, and Franciscan Friar. It had such a meaningful affect on me as I think about all of the challenges we face in the world today and especially the church. Some of you have asked about the quote and so I thought I would print it here for continued thought and…
I found this funny saying… May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! All…