The right tempo.

Finding Rest and Renewal With An Unhurried God

Hel-Bongo Malla shares life lessons from his childhood in war-torn Chad.

What are your three essential things?

Jesus' Ascension is like a Commencement Address for his disciples.

Happy Mother’s Day! In an article I recently read, “Biblical Mothers: Not for the Faint of Heart,” I was reminded that it was Anna Marie Jarvis and members of the Andrew’s Methodist Church of Grafton, West Virginia who led the way to creating a day to thank and honor mothers.

Anna Marie Jarvis also fought hard against the commercialization of this day, not wanting the card industry and the flower shops to profit off of it. She truly wanted to keep this day sacred.

Let's talk about money.

Today is a day for laughter and joy! According to the Joyful Newsletter, churches in 15th century Bavaria used to celebrate the Sunday after Easter as Risus Paschalis (‘God’s Joke,’ or ‘ the Easter laugh’). Priests would deliberately include amusing stories and jokes in their sermons in an attempt to make the faithful laugh. After the service, people would gather together to play practical jokes on one another and tell funny stories. It was their way of celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

Happy Easter!

Today we rise and celebrate the joy of God’s love overcoming the forces of sin and death! Like Peter in our story, we look around and find ourselves amazed by what God’s love can do. When have you been amazed by the power of God’s love?

My first experience of being amazed by God was when I went to Camp in the 7th grade. I woke up early because I wanted to learn how to water ski. When I went outside to head to the dock, I was stopped in my tracks. I leaned against a rock and took it all in. The sun was rising over Big Bear Lake and I saw the glow of the sun reflecting off the water. I just stood there in awe of God’s creation.

I remember later in the day, a counselor asking me why I was leaning against the rock. I didn’t even know the counselor had walked by me and she obviously didn’t want to bother me. All I could respond to her with was: “I was having a moment.” I had no words to describe being amazed, but I know it filled me up. I’ve found that these moments may happen quickly, but they have everlasting, eternal effects in our hearts, minds and souls. We all need these moments.

This Easter, may you allow yourself to be amazed by God’s love which breaks forth all around us. Christ is Risen!

May you leave this place in the presence of Jesus Christ. May he go ahead of you to lead you;

Above you to watch over you;

Behind you to encourage you;

By your side to be your best friend;

Above all, may you know his presence within you.

May he fill you with his love, his hope, his peace, and his joy.